Department for Transport

High Speed Two

Mrs Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many staff in each grade employed by (a) HS2 Ltd and (b) his Department are working on High Speed (i) 2 and (ii) 3; and what the average salary of each of those grades is.

Mr Robert Goodwill: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



With regards to part A of the question, in the interests of transparency, HS2 Ltd publishes information on staff salaries on data.gov.uk. More specific information is in the attached table 1. HS2 Ltd senior salaries are commensurate with the current focus of the company, which is building the organisation in preparation for construction. HS2 Ltd must pay salaries that are sufficient to attract people with the skills and expertise to deliver the biggest infrastructure project in Europe.   With regards to part B of the question, the High Speed Rail headcount for permanent full time equivalents (FTEs) currently in post across the Central Department is shown in the attached table 2.   The salaries shown are average DfT Central salaries.   It is not possible to provide separate figures for staff working on HS2 and HS3.  



212590 - Table for HS2 Ltd_staff Nos_salary
(Excel SpreadSheet, 40 KB)




212590 - Table for DfT central_staff Nos _salary
(Excel SpreadSheet, 26 KB)

Cycling: Accidents

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many (a) men and (b) women have been (i) slightly injured, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) killed by cyclists riding on footpaths in each of the last 10 years for which information is available.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The number of (a) male and (b) female pedestrians that were (i) slightly injured, (ii) seriously injured and (iii) killed in reported road traffic accidents due to a collision with a pedal cyclist on a footway or verge is shown in the attached below.Data for the year 2014 will be available in June 2015. 



212875 - table collision with pedal cyclists
(Excel SpreadSheet, 36.5 KB)

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Claire Perry: The amount spent by this Department and its Executive Agencies on external legal fees in relation to withholding information requested under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, namely payments to the Treasury Solicitor’s Department and counsel, in each of the last five financial years, is as shown in the table below.Financial year  External legal spend (excluding VAT)  2009/10  £17,495  2010/11  £32,404  2011/12  £311  2012/13  £3,068  2013/14  £69  2014/15  £38,475

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Claire Perry: The Department for Transport and its executive agencies spend (all figures are net of VAT) on iPhones in each year since 2010 is in the table below.Year  DfT iPhone spend  2010  Nil  2011  Nil  2012  £1,425  2013  £22,265  2014  £15,905  Total  £39,595The majority of the spend has been incurred by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.　This is as part of its new operating model ‘Next Generation Testing’, with the need to ensure staff have immediate access to support functions whilst they are working remotely.　This includes the ability to visually and audibly show vehicle defects when having conversations with technical support specialists, with live video and interaction supported through the 'facetime' functionality, and access to electronic manuals and technical information on the move.

Motorcycles: Noise

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 211087, if he will bring forward proposals to prevent, by means of (a) a mandatory seal and (b) other measures motorcyclists tampering with their exhausts after passing the MOT noise test.

Claire Perry: The MOT test does not, as a matter of principle, involve modifying the vehicles tested in any way. This is in part to ensure that the vehicle owner can have confidence that their vehicle is not damaged by the test. We would be happy to consider proposals to make enforcement against noisy motorcyclists easier. It is doubtful a mandatory seal is a practical and proportionate measure, as many motorcyclists need to make legitimate repairs or modifications to their exhausts between annual tests.

Transport: Suffolk

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much funding his Department gave to the local transport authority in Suffolk (a) in total, (b) per mile of road in the local authority area and (c) per head of population in that area in each year since 1997.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department for Transport has allocated the following amounts to the local transport authority in Suffolk for the years for which figures are available:Year£million£ per mile of road length£ per head of population2000/018.4722,063132001/0220.9675,097312002/0319.9584,773302003/0420.5664,910302004/0522.2305,331322005/0622.6245,424322006/0723.6105,559342007/0821.7455,113312008/0929.8347,011422009/1026.8946,333372010/1123.1555,448322011/1227.9246.566382012/1330.3047.123412013/1435.5138,341482014/1537.5238,81351Note: population and road lengths data are not available for 2014. Figures for 2013 have been used to calculate the £ per mile and £ per head in 2014.

Channel Tunnel Railway Line

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to protect High Speed services to Ashford and other intermediate stations after the sale of the Government's shareholding in Eurostar; and if he will make a statement.

Claire Perry: Domestic services to Ashford and intermediate stations are provided by the franchised operator London and Southeastern Railway Limited ("Southeastern"). The level of service provided is specified in Southeastern’s franchise agreement and would not be directly affected by the sale of the Government’s holding in Eurostar. Eurostar is an open access operator; any decision on services provided by Eurostar to Ashford or intermediate stations is a commercial matter for that operator.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Claire Perry: Statistics on the number of Freedom of Information (FOI) requests answered by the Department for Transport are published by the Ministry of Justice. The published figures include information on the number of requests where the Department withheld some or all of the requested information. These reports can be accessed on the following webpage:  https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Claire Perry: I refer the hon Member to the answer given to Question 213040 by my Rt Hon Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr Maude) today.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Claire Perry: The number of Instant Rewards awarded to employees in the Department for Transport, and the total amount spent in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 is shown in the table below.Financial YearNumber of staffTotal Spend2013/142,079£774,1382014/15981£404,780 In 2013 the Department increased the size of the available pot for Instant Rewards following the decision to only pay end of year non-consolidated performance payments to the top 25% of employees. This has reduced the overall spend on non-consolidated performance payments by c. £1.4m.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Mrs Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what reasons his Department specified only two of the four available levels of catering provision for the mock-ups of Intercity Express Programme train sets inspected by bidders and others stakeholders.

Claire Perry: The two levels of catering specified by the Department for Transport were those chosen by the train operators who are closest to their customers requirements. The train operators continue to be fully engaged in the design of the train.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Mrs Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to ensure that the fleet of trains his Department has procured through the Intercity Express Programme for service on the (a) Great Western and (b) East Coast Main Lines are fitted with the full catering provision of galley kitchen, restaurant service, at-seat first class service with meals cooked on board, re-generated meals served at-seat, buffet and trolley service.

Claire Perry: The train operators have been fully engaged in the design of the Intercity Express Programme trains and will chose the catering solutions that they feel best suits their customer needs.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Mrs Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment has been made of the likely effect on rail (a) guards, (b) maintenance and (c) catering jobs from the introduction of the Intercity Express Programme fleet on the (i) Great Western and (ii) East Coast Main Lines.

Claire Perry: Decisions on staffing arrangements on the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines are a matter for the Train Operating Company (TOC) and Hitachi.

Rolling Stock: Procurement

Mrs Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many rail (a) guards, (b) maintenance and (c) catering jobs will be created on the (i) Great Western and (ii) East Coast Main Lines as a result of the procurement of new rolling stock through the Intercity Express Programme.

Claire Perry: This will be a matter for the train operators on the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines.

Roads: Cameras

Mr John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the budget is for new camera installations on national motorways and trunk roads this year.

Mr John Hayes: The budget for new camera installations on the strategic road network to the end of this financial year (2014-15) is £900k.

M3: Surrey

Mr John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason the speed limit west on the M3 beyond the M25 junction has been set at 50 mph.

Mr John Hayes: The speed limit of 50 mph was set in 2009 to allow safe merging of vehicles, especially HGVs, which need to move from lane 3 into lane 1 at the end of the M25/M3 merge.

Motorways: Speed Limits

Mr John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many miles of national motorway are subject to speed restrictions of under 70 mph.

Mr John Hayes: The Highways Agency is responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England’s strategic road network which comprises approximately 4,300 miles of motorways and all-purpose trunk roads. Approximately 398 miles of motorway (excluding slip roads) are subject to speed restrictions of under 70 mph. 33 miles are permanent speed restrictions and 365 miles are temporary speed restrictions (as of 05 November 2014).

M4: Cameras

Mr John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the purpose is of the new cameras being installed on the M4.

Mr John Hayes: These are temporary speed enforcement cameras, which will be in place as part of the traffic management during several M4 maintenance and improvement schemes.

Motorways: Noise

Mr Michael Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that motorways violating EU noise emissions are resolved within a two-year timescale; and if he will take steps to speed-up the resurfacing work on the areas of M27 between Fareham and Eastleigh.

Mr John Hayes: The European Noise Directive requires Member States to produce noise maps and noise action plans every five years, which have been produced by Defra. The European Noise Directive does not set any noise limits and there are no ‘EU noise emissions’ for motorways or other roads to violate. The Highways Agency has informed me that due to the various road surface materials along the M27 between Eastleigh and Fareham, resurfacing of the road is a complex operation and it is not possible to bring the scheme forward. Resurfacing is carried out for maintenance reasons and this work is not expected to be required until 2017/18.

Biofuels

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to allow bio-LPG enhanced certificates under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.

Craig Whittaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to promote the use of bio-LPG as a fuel for (a) heavy goods vehicles and (b) non-road-mobile machinery.

Mr Robert Goodwill: The Department for Transport has consulted on amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which covers both road transport fuels (for any vehicle type including HGVs) and non-road mobile machinery.　 The consultation included proposals to increase support for a number of gaseous fuels including biopropane, a constituent of bio-LPG, provided such fuels meet the required sustainability criteria. Further, if fuel is derived from waste, double the number of Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) will be awarded (known as double counting).　 We have now published the Government response to that consultation. This makes clear that the Government intends to introduce legislation which would increase support for renewable gaseous fuels.

Parking: Data Protection

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to prevent the misuse of data on vehicle keepers held by private parking companies and local authorities.

Claire Perry: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) takes the protection and security of its data very seriously. A comprehensive set of safeguards is in place to ensure data is disclosed only to legitimate organisations and where it is lawful and fair to do so. The Agency ensures recipients of DVLA data are audited to confirm that the data provided is being used appropriately. Where necessary, action is taken to suspend the facility to request information from DVLA. The Information Commissioner’s Office has found the DVLA’s procedures to offer high assurance that processes are in place to mitigate the risks of non-compliance with the Data Protection Act.

Department for Communities and Local Government

Lighting

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on the level of street lighting they should have in place.

Kris Hopkins: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 06 November 2014.The correct answer should have been:

Street lighting plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring the personal safety of pedestrians. I refer my Hon Friend to the answer of 13 May 2014, Official Report, columns 535-36W, which provides a comprehensive answer on how there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, and places in context the policy of the last Administration which actively encouraged cuts to street lighting.  Street lighting plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring the personal safety of pedestrians. There may be some roads where lights could be dimmed in the very early hours, saving taxpayers’ money. However, this should be a local decision by elected local councillors, reflecting local circumstances-specially in relation to any concerns about crime. Equally, not every neighbourhood wants street lighting, as some communities, especially in rural areas, value dark skies.We believe that councils should listen to the views of their local residents, and then adopt appropriate local policies based on the neighbourhood, the precise location and the usage of the road/street. I previously noted that “Manual for Streets” contains some useful guidance on getting the balance right when providing street lighting, taking into account the different issues around safety, crime prevention, street clutter and light pollution. Ultimately, there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, and any assessment will depend on local circumstances and local views.Notwithstanding, I would observe that Her Majesty’s Opposition seem to have a short memory about their actions on cutting street lighting when they were in office:Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:The right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) (now Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) when Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, his Department and its quangos lectured local councils to switch off or reduce street lighting to minimise carbon emissions. For example, in 2007, he personally launched the Carbon Trust Standard, which was tied to an extensive programme to reduce street lighting as part of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. As DEFRA Ministers told the House:“All authorities should be seeking to reduce energy usage both to cut costs and to help combat climate change. As street lighting accounts for a significant proportion of the energy used by authorities, it should be readily identified as an area that should be examined for potential efficiency savings”(6 November 2006, Official Report, column 709W).Department for Transport:The Minister of State for Transport, the noble Lord Adonis (now a Shadow Treasury Minister) when asked about reducing the hours of operation of street lighting, noted that“the Government also support the Carbon Trust’s local authority carbon management programme, which provides councils with support and guidance to help them realise carbon emissions savings from street lighting”(17 December 2008, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA52). Transport Ministers also endorsed the Highways Agency’s‘Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting’ which led to switching off motorway lighting at night (21 April 2008,Official Report, column 1444W; Highways Agency“Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting Midnight Switch Off for Motorway Lighting”, 2009).Department for Communities and Local Government:The right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) (now Shadow Home Secretary), when as Minister in the precursor Department to DCLG, noted there was nuanced debate on the extent of street lighting:“We all recognise the fact that there is a series of tensions around light pollution. People in the cities will never have the same view of the night sky as one can get in the middle of Dartmoor... There can be tensions too at neighbourhood level between the security-obsessed householder who has glaring white security lights stuck to every corner of the house, which flicker on every time a little bird flies past or the cat runs across the garden, and the neighbour who... has a telescope and cannot see across the garden, let alone into the skies”(12 February 2004, Official Report, column 510WH).Department of Energy and Climate Change:In 2008, the right hon. Member for Leeds East (Hilary Benn) also personally launched the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which resulted in councils cutting carbon emissions from street lighting, including dimming or switching off lights. The Highway Agency’s “Energy Strategy for Roadside Equipment” (April 2010) explained that the approach of “dimming, trimming and partial night lighting” was a consequence of the requirements to meet the Carbon Reduction Commitment. As DECC Ministers said to the House:“DECC is working to include street lighting in the Carbon Reduction Commitment. This will provide an incentive for local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of street lights. DECC is working closely with Communities and Local Government to develop the policy, in so far as it relates to local authorities”(19 June 2009, Official Report, column 515W). Of course, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at that time was the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) now Leader of HM Opposition.I hope this illuminates the historical fogginess of the Labour party’s current campaign on municipal street lighting. I would suggest the last person out of Labour HQ tonight should turn off the lights.

Kris Hopkins: Street lighting plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring the personal safety of pedestrians. I refer my Hon Friend to the answer of 13 May 2014, Official Report, columns 535-36W, which provides a comprehensive answer on how there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, and places in context the policy of the last Administration which actively encouraged cuts to street lighting.  Street lighting plays an important role in road safety, as well as ensuring the personal safety of pedestrians. There may be some roads where lights could be dimmed in the very early hours, saving taxpayers’ money. However, this should be a local decision by elected local councillors, reflecting local circumstances-specially in relation to any concerns about crime. Equally, not every neighbourhood wants street lighting, as some communities, especially in rural areas, value dark skies.We believe that councils should listen to the views of their local residents, and then adopt appropriate local policies based on the neighbourhood, the precise location and the usage of the road/street. I previously noted that “Manual for Streets” contains some useful guidance on getting the balance right when providing street lighting, taking into account the different issues around safety, crime prevention, street clutter and light pollution. Ultimately, there is no prescriptive Whitehall guidance, and any assessment will depend on local circumstances and local views.Notwithstanding, I would observe that Her Majesty’s Opposition seem to have a short memory about their actions on cutting street lighting when they were in office:Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:The right hon. Member for Leeds Central (Hilary Benn) (now Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government) when Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, his Department and its quangos lectured local councils to switch off or reduce street lighting to minimise carbon emissions. For example, in 2007, he personally launched the Carbon Trust Standard, which was tied to an extensive programme to reduce street lighting as part of the Local Authority Carbon Management Programme. As DEFRA Ministers told the House:“All authorities should be seeking to reduce energy usage both to cut costs and to help combat climate change. As street lighting accounts for a significant proportion of the energy used by authorities, it should be readily identified as an area that should be examined for potential efficiency savings”(6 November 2006, Official Report, column 709W).Department for Transport:The Minister of State for Transport, the noble Lord Adonis (now a Shadow Treasury Minister) when asked about reducing the hours of operation of street lighting, noted that“the Government also support the Carbon Trust’s local authority carbon management programme, which provides councils with support and guidance to help them realise carbon emissions savings from street lighting”(17 December 2008, Official Report, House of Lords, column WA52). Transport Ministers also endorsed the Highways Agency’s‘Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting’ which led to switching off motorway lighting at night (21 April 2008,Official Report, column 1444W; Highways Agency“Efficiency Strategy for Road Lighting Midnight Switch Off for Motorway Lighting”, 2009).Department for Communities and Local Government:The right hon. Member for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper) (now Shadow Home Secretary), when as Minister in the precursor Department to DCLG, noted there was nuanced debate on the extent of street lighting:“We all recognise the fact that there is a series of tensions around light pollution. People in the cities will never have the same view of the night sky as one can get in the middle of Dartmoor... There can be tensions too at neighbourhood level between the security-obsessed householder who has glaring white security lights stuck to every corner of the house, which flicker on every time a little bird flies past or the cat runs across the garden, and the neighbour who... has a telescope and cannot see across the garden, let alone into the skies”(12 February 2004, Official Report, column 510WH).Department of Energy and Climate Change:In 2008, the right hon. Member for Leeds East (Hilary Benn) also personally launched the Carbon Reduction Commitment, which resulted in councils cutting carbon emissions from street lighting, including dimming or switching off lights. The Highway Agency’s “Energy Strategy for Roadside Equipment” (April 2010) explained that the approach of “dimming, trimming and partial night lighting” was a consequence of the requirements to meet the Carbon Reduction Commitment. As DECC Ministers said to the House:“DECC is working to include street lighting in the Carbon Reduction Commitment. This will provide an incentive for local authorities to improve the energy efficiency of street lights. DECC is working closely with Communities and Local Government to develop the policy, in so far as it relates to local authorities”(19 June 2009, Official Report, column 515W). Of course, the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change at that time was the right hon. Member for Doncaster North (Edward Miliband) now Leader of HM Opposition.I hope this illuminates the historical fogginess of the Labour party’s current campaign on municipal street lighting. I would suggest the last person out of Labour HQ tonight should turn off the lights.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Kris Hopkins: Nothing.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Kris Hopkins: The Ministry of Justice publishes annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for central government. These reports include statistics on the numbers of requests granted in full and those where information was partially or fully withheld. These reports can be accessed on the following webpage: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to to my answer to him of 22 July 2014, PQ 204271.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my rt. hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Paymaster General (Francis Maude) today, PQ 213040.

Council Housing

Mr David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the potential effect of a removal of the borrowing cap on local authorities' housing revenue accounts on the output of new council houses.

Brandon Lewis: The Government's self-financing settlement has given council landlords access to £2.8 billion additional borrowing and the freedom to plan their housing businesses for the long term. We have no plans to remove the limits on indebtedness whilst we are taking action to tackle the budget deficit inherited from the last Administration but we have been able to make available an additional £300 million borrowing over 2015/16 and 2016/17 and those councils that needed additional borrowing have now had two opportunties to bid for additional borrowing. I announced on 9 October that £178 million additional borrowing was still up for grabs in the second bidding round. We are now considering those bids. We have been able to extend this borrowing precisely because of the Government's long-term economic plan. More council housing has been built in the four years of this Government than in all the thirteen years of the last Administration combined.

Council Housing: Fareham

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people in the Fareham Borough Council area are currently on a council housing waiting list; and how many such people (a) have been on that list for longer than three years, (b) are single persons and (c) have five or more children.

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people in the Basingstoke and Deane Council area are currently on a council housing waiting list; and how many such people (a) have been on that list for longer than three years, (b) are single persons and (c) have five or more children.

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people in the East Hampshire District Council area are currently on a council housing waiting list; and how many such people (a) have been on that list for longer than three years, (b) are single persons and (c) have five or more children.

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many people in the Eastleigh Borough Council area are currently on a council housing waiting list; and how many such people (a) have been on that list for longer than three years, (b) are single persons and (c) have five or more children.

Brandon Lewis: The number of households on local authority waiting lists for each local authority in England is published in live table 600, which is available at the following link. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-rents-lettings-and-tenancies The Department does not hold any information at a local authority level about the characteristics of households on local authority waiting lists or about how long they have been on them.

Homelessness

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent assessment he has made of the support available to single homeless people.

Kris Hopkins: The Government has increased spending to prevent and tackle homelessness, making over £500 milion available to councils and the voluntary sector. Local authorities are required to provide advice and information to single homeless people who approach them.We have launched an £8 million Help for Single Homeless Fund for local auhtorities which will improve council services for single people facing the prospect of homelessness by encouraging better partnership working between councils and other local partners. We are also helping single homeless people to find and sustain accomodation in the private rented sector through our £13 million funding to Crisis. By 2016 we expect the Crisis scheme to have helped 10,000 single homeless people. In addition No Second Night Out schemes and Streetlink have helped thousands of vulnerable people who have slept rough or were at risk of doing so to get the help they need.

Planning Permission

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps he is taking to increase local control over planning policy.

Brandon Lewis: This Government has abolished the Labour Government’s top-down Regional Strategies, such as the South East Plan, and closed down the unelected Regional Assemblies. We also stopped proposals, being implemented by the then Labour Government, to hand more planning power to the unelected Regional Development Agencies and Regional Assemblies. The Localism Act has strengthened the role of Local Plans, allowing local councils – in consultation with local residents – to draw up plans and determine where new development should and should not go. 80 per cent of councils now have a published Local Plan, and we are working with the remaining local councils to help them deliver up to date plans. In National policy, we have safeguarded environmental designations such as the Green Belt which were under threat of deletion from the Regional Strategies; given councils new powers to tackle unwanted garden grabbing; and allowed councils and neighbourhoods to introduce a new planning protection for valuable green local spaces. Localism should involve decentralising power to the lowest appropriate level. So neighbourhood planning now allows local neighbourhoods and parishes to shape planning in their local area: over 1,200 communities are so far developing neighbourhood plans. We are funding a £63 million package of support to help local people take up community rights, and we have been consulting on practical ways we can strengthen the neighbourhood planning process based on the experience we have learnt to date. Decentralisation also involves empowering individuals – so we have extended permitted development rights to allow households and local firms to make small changes (such as small extensions and change of use) without the need for full planning permission. We have been consulting on further common sense reforms in our consultation published in July.

Homelessness

Jesse Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities and community groups on tackling rough sleeping.

Kris Hopkins: The Government has increased spending to prevent and tackle rough sleeping and homelessness making over £500 million available, giving councils the funding and tools needed to take action against rough sleeping locally.There are a range of initiatives and projects in place to help rough sleepers, prevent single homelessness and to help those who have been homeless find and sustain accommodation. Thousands of vulnerable people who have slept rough or were at risk of doing so have received the help they need through No Second Night Out schemes and Streetlink – the digital and national telephone service to enable the public to connect rough sleepers quickly to the local services available so they get the help they need to get them off the streets. We have supported the roll-out of No Second Night Out nationally through the £20 million Homelessness Transition Fund for the voluntary sector ensuring rough sleepers do not spend more than one night on the street. In 20 key rough sleeping areas outside London homelessness charities reported that 67% of rough sleepers were helped off the streets after a single night. We have launched an £8 million Help for Single Homeless Fund for local authorities which will improve council services for single people facing the prospect of homelessness by encouraging better partnership working between councils and other local partners. We are also helping single homeless people to find and sustain accommodation in the private rented sector through our £13 million funding to Crisis. By 2016 we expect the Crisis scheme to have helped 10,000 single homeless people.

Private Rented Housing: Codes of Practice

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 13 October 2014, to Question 208968, which tenant groups his Department asked the industry to seek the views of in creating a code of practice for the management of residential property; and what steps he took to ensure that the views sought were representative of all tenant groups.

Brandon Lewis: The Government asked industry to develop the code of practice for the management of residential property to promote consistent and high standards of property management. Ensuring that landlords and letting agents are aware of their responsibilities can only be of benefit to all tenants. Industry held a public consultation on the code of practice from 2 to 30 April and a number of groups including Shelter, all three Property Ombudsmen and the Electrical Safety First formally responded. The code of practice has been welcomed by the sector and I am confident that the code, the how to rent guide and the model tenancy agreement will all improve standards and increase the satisfaction of tenants living in the private rented sector.

Private Rented Housing: Codes of Practice

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department has taken to publicise its How to Rent guide; and whether his Department evaluated its success in communicating with private tenants.

Brandon Lewis: The Department for Communities and Local Government has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Refuges: Females

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what the type of housing tenure held by women after leaving refuge accommodation in England and Wales was in each of the last four financial years.

Kris Hopkins: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Huddersfield (Barry Sheerman) on 28 October, PQs 211433, 211434 and 211435.

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, if he will add a question to the consultation on the local welfare provision in 2015 to 2016 to ask whether local welfare assistance funding should continue to be provided by his Department and distributed by it to local authorities.

Kris Hopkins: The consultation on how local welfare provision should be funded in 2015/16 is already underway and closes on 21 November. Option four gives respondents the opportunity to present their own proposals on other options for delivering and funding local welfare provision.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Mr David Lidington: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has purchased one iPhone with central FCO funds. Records of purchases using devolved FCO budgets (i.e. those managed by our overseas diplomatic missions or departments in London) are not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Civil Service Recruitment Principles require recruitment to the Civil Service to be on the basis of merit after fair and open competition. Recruitment is also permitted, without fair and open competition, in an established set of circumstances (‘Exceptions’), when it has not been possible – or it is impracticable or disproportionate given an urgent need for business critical skills - to select someone on merit through fair and open competition. This has been our interpretation of ‘exceptions’ in the context of this question. The following table shows the number of times the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has made use of these exceptions by financial year since 2010. FY 2007/8-103 FY 2008/9-52 FY 2009/10-33 FY 2010/11-15 FY 2011/2012-36 FY 2012/2013-14 FY 2013/2014-25 FY 2014/2015 (to 5/11/14)-15 The figures cover recruitment in the UK where an individual has been identified as as offering particular skills or experience which are critical to the business of the organisation. The FCO does not publish details of staff members.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Mr David Lidington: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) publishes a quarterly statistics bulletin concerning FOI responses from all Government Departments including The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). The bulletin includes tables showing how many requests were granted in full, or resulted in some information being withheld or all information withheld. The MOJ statistics bulletin can be found at:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Cabinet Office on 10 November 2014 (PQ 213040).

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Mr David Lidington: I refer the honourable Member to my reply of 14 July 2014, Official Report, column 477W.

Arctic

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to prevent the militarisation of the Arctic; and if he will make a statement.

Mr David Lidington: The Government is committed to preserving the stability and security of the Arctic and works with others through a wide range of defence engagement and bilateral security cooperation initiatives. Whilst decisions on military presence in the Arctic are primarily the responsibility of the eight Arctic States, of whom five are NATO members, the UK advocates that any military presence should reflect the overwhelmingly peaceful position and needs of the region.

Nigeria

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of girls and young women abducted by Islamic extremists in north east Nigeria in the last three months.

Mr David Lidington: Boko Haram continue to abduct both males and females across north east Nigeria. The security situation in this region makes it difficult to obtain verifiable information on the precise number of abductions that have taken place or the gender of those involved. However, we estimate that since the abduction of the 270 Chibok schoolgirls in April over 350 other people have been abducted by Boko Haram. We continue to engage with Nigerian officials at both Federal and state level on their efforts to secure the release of those abducted and to provide better protection from Boko Haram attacks.

Hong Kong

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has held with Chinese authorities about the recent unrest in Hong Kong.

Mr Hugo Swire: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 14 October 2014 (PQ 210244).

Brazil

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil since her re-election.

Mr Hugo Swire: The Prime Minister has written to President Rousseff congratulating her on her re-election, and hopes to be able to do so in person at the G20 Summit in Brisbane. Neither the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right Hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), nor I, have had any discussions with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff since her re-election on 26 October 2014.

Commonwealth

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he is taking steps to promote trade between the UK and other Commonwealth member states; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Hugo Swire: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 21 October 2014 (PQ 210357).

Ascension Island

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the risk of Chikungunya disease being introduced from the Caribbean into Ascension Island.

Mr David Lidington: At the present time, Ascension Island Government (AIG) assesses that there is a low risk of Chikungunya disease being introduced to Ascension Island from the Caribbean. AIG continues to monitor the situation, with the United States Air Force Base on Ascension, and will keep its precautionary measures under review.

Iran

Gavin Shuker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has raised the cases of Farshid Fathi and Alireza Seyyedian with his Iranian counterparts.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We have not raised these cases specifically with the Iranian Government. However, we remain deeply concerned by the detention and ill treatment of all prisoners of conscience in Iran, and the ongoing discrimination against Christians and other minority religious groups. We have called for the Iranian government to protect the rights of all minority groups in Iran and end the persecution of individuals on the basis of their faith.

USA

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will publish on his Departmental website all correspondence between the governments of the UK and US on the negotiations of the proposed amendments to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the United States of America for Cooperation on the Use of Atomic Energy for Mutual Defense Purposes, Cm 8947, which was laid before Parliament on 16 October 2014.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: The Government will not publish the correspondence requested due to the potential harm to UK interests. The UK corresponds with US partners on a range of matters of mutual interest, and disclosure of the information requested would risk prejudicing our relationship with the US and our ability to promote and protect British interests. Disclosure of this correspondence would also risk inhibiting the quality and value of such international discussions in the future.

Israel

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Israeli authorities over the disturbances at the Al Aqsa compound.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: Officials from our Embassy in Tel Aviv have delivered, in recent days, clear messages to senior Israeli officials in the Prime Minister’s Office, National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the importance of maintaining calm and the status quo at the Temple Mount/Haram al Sharif.

Visits Abroad

Margaret Curran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, which overseas trips by Scottish Government Ministers have been supported by his Department or British embassies and consulates in each year since 2010; what the purpose of these trips was; and what support was offered.

Mr David Lidington: UK Embassies provide considerable support for Scottish Government Ministers when they are overseas. In 2013, UK Embassies supported more than 40 overseas visits by Scottish Government Ministers and in 2014 (up to October 2014), a further 14. The nature of the visits varies widely, as do the destinations, from supporting the First Minister of Scotland’s visit to Washington for Tartan Week, a full cultural programme in Berlin for the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, to the Minister for External Affairs and International Development’s trade engagements in the Gulf. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold central records from before this period.

Islamic State

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the military capability of ISIL.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: ISIL is a barbaric terrorist organisation which has, in the space of a few months, taken control of territory in Iraq and Syria which is greater than the size of Britain. ISIL has acquired sophisticated military hardware, and is able to conduct traditional military operations as well as terrorist activity. The UK airstrikes and other action taken to date, shows the UK will play its part in standing against ISIL. Dealing with this threat will take time and patience.

Hamas

Mr Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment his Department has made of the military capability of Hamas.

Mr Tobias Ellwood: We assess Hamas to be a professional and capable military force. The nature and scale of Hamas’ military activity is significant and has resulted in indiscriminate civilian casualties within Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Terriktories. The Israeli Defence Minister has stated that around 80% (approximately 8000 rockets) of Hamas’s arsenal was destroyed during Operation Protective Edge.

Diego Garcia

Mr Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps the Government took to strengthen formal oversight of US use of Diego Garcia after the disclosure in 2008 that two US rendition flights had refuelled there in 2002.

Mr David Lidington: My honourable friend refers to the US Government’s disclosure in 2008 that, contrary to earlier assurances, two flights carrying a detainee landed and refuelled on Diego Garcia in 2002. Following this disclosure, the US Government assured Her Majesty’s Government that these had been the only two cases and that there would be no future transfer of detainees through the UK, its airspace or Overseas Territories without express permission; and stated that, should there be any doubt as to whether any operation falls outside the Exchange of Notes that govern the use of Diego Garcia, the US Government would consult the UK Government. Since that time, Her Majesty’s Government has sought regular reassurance from the US Government, including by means of annual political-military talks between senior officials, that all previous assurances on transfer of detainees provided by the US Government since 2008 remain valid and correct. In addition, the Officer in Charge of the United Kingdom Service elements in Diego Garcia, a senior Naval Officer, is routinely informed of all ship and aircraft movements.

Diego Garcia

Mr Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how the Government exercised its formal oversight of US use of Diego Garcia between 2001 and 2008.

Mr David Lidington: As my honourable friend is aware, use of the defence facility in Diego Garcia is governed by the Exchange of Notes between the UK and US, which places treaty obligations on both parties. These Notes provide that, as regards the use of the facility in normal circumstances, the US Commanding Officer and the Officer in Charge of the United Kingdom Service element shall inform each other of intended movements of ships and aircraft. In other circumstances, they provide that the use of the facility shall be a matter for the joint decision of the two Governments. Oversight of US activities between 2001 and 2008 was thus exercised: through the exchange both of routine information, via the Governments’ representatives in Diego Garcia; and, where non-routine matters were concerned, through regular dialogue between the two Governments, including by means of annual political-military discussions between senior officials.

Northern Ireland Office

Counter-terrorism

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what steps her Department is taking to tackle the dissident republican threat in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The security of all UK citizens remains this Government’s highest priority. While the threat level in Northern Ireland remains at Severe, excellent co-operation between PSNI and its partners has put violent dissident republicans under strain in recent months. There have been a number of significant arrests, charges and convictions which are helping to suppress the threat.This Government has provided additional security funding to the PSNI totalling £231million between 2011 and 2016 in order to support them in tackling this threat.The funding the PSNI received from the NI block grant through the Department of Justice also plays an important role in national security work. The Chief Constable has indicated that recent reductions in PSNI funding by the Executive will have an impact on countering the threat from terrorism in NI. I have asked for a full assessment of what that impact is going to be.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to her Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: My Department made 96 awards of amounts ranging from £100 to £500 under the Reward and Recognition scheme totalling £11,800 in 2013/14. 2013/14 figures reflect awards made in respect of work associated with the G8 conference.   In 2014, my Department has made 13 awards totalling £3,150 to date.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much her Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Northern Ireland Office pays fees to the Treasury Solicitor’s Department for legal advice on a range of issues. To provide those fees which relate to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 would incur disproportionate cost.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on how many occasions her Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House. It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are so small.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many Freedom of Information requests her Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) publish annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for central government. They can be accessed via the following webpage:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on how many occasions her Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mrs Theresa Villiers: My Department made appointments by exception as set out below.YearNumber of Recruitments by Exception2012/13112013/14102014/15 to date3Records prior to 2012 are not held.The Civil Service Commission requires secondments from the NI Civil Service to be listed as an exception. Northern Ireland Civil Servants at grades below Senior Civil Servant were appointed on a secondment basis to all of these posts with the exception of one which was an appointment at SCS Pay Band 1 for the post of Deputy Director, Community Engagement Group. This post was also filled on a secondment basis by a member of the Northern Ireland Civil Service.

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Business: Government Assistance

Mr Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much the Government has spent in grants and support schemes to businesses since 2010.

Matthew Hancock: The Department’s finance systems do not hold data on total government support to business since 2010.

Video Games

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what funds distributed by UK Trade and Investment were allocated to the video  games sector in each of the last three years; and what proportion of the total funding from UK Trade and Investment that represented in each such year.

Matthew Hancock: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



United Kingdom Trade and Investment (UKTI) works with the video games sector, to support exports and attract inward investment. A new international strategy for the Creative Industries has been co-produced with the sector, and there is a joint commitment to its implementation. For example UKTI and the UKIE worked together to deliver the Digital Gaming event at the International Festival of Business in Liverpool in July this year.   UKTI supports sectorally-focused groups, including those from the games sector, through both the Trade Access Programme (TAP) and through the Events and Missions Programme. The amount allocated specifically to the video games sector under these two programmes are shown in the table below together with a figure which gives the value as a percentage of programme expenditure as a whole (across all sectors). In addition, video games companies enjoy the support of UKTI through general services available to all companies.2011-122012-132013-14Total TAP Support for Video Games Sector£53,400£68,560£220,100% of Total TAP Funding0.80%0.80%1.40%Video Games Events & Missions Spend£69,000£0£25,000% of Total Events and Missions Spend0.82%n/a0.18%

Bahrain

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what arms the UK has sold to the government of Bahrain since 2010; what licence conditions were imposed on exporters; and what due diligence was undertaken to ensure those weapons would not be used on Bahraini citizens.

Matthew Hancock: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



We do not hold data on actual arms sales, only on export licences that have been granted, which are available at: https://www.exportcontroldb.gov.uk/sdb/fox/sdb/SDBHOME.   All export licence applications are rigorously assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account all prevailing circumstances at the time of application.   Foreign Office posts overseas have a standing requirement to keep an eye on developments in human rights in their respective countries and to report back if there are any concerns that might affect licensing policy.

Students: Plagiarism

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment his Department has made of the number of higher education students purchasing assignment writing services.

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department has (a) considered and (b) taken to ensure that businesses advertising assignment writing services clearly state the potential ramifications for students of portraying such materials as their own work.

Greg Clark: This is an issue which the Higher Education sector takes very seriously and where institutions have clear policies in place.Institutions are supported in this area by the work of Plagiarism Advice (www.plagiarismadvice.org) which was established to address concerns about plagiarism and the authenticity of student work. The sanctions that universities are able to apply to students who attempt to pass off work as their own, when it is not, are serious and significant.

Business: Fareham

Mr Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to support small and medium-sized businesses in Fareham constituency.

Matthew Hancock: Small businesses are vital to our economy and our small business owners have driven this economic recovery. The Fareham constituency has benefitted from a number of support schemes. The Start-Up Loan Scheme has provided business advice and 13 loans, with a value of over £56,000, to people starting a business. Since October 2013, 6 businesses have benefitted from the Government’s Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme with a total value of £780,000.   We are committed to making Britain the best place in the world to start and grow a business, and are doing this in a number of ways:   • £10 billion of financing will be unlocked for smaller business over the next 5 years by our British Business Bank; • Government grants of up to £3,000 for better internet connectivity are available to small businesses; • The Business Support Helpline is available to provide bespoke information and advice; • Cuts to corporation tax from 28% to 21%; and • £2,000 cut from the National Insurance bills of small firms from the new Employment Allowance.

New Businesses: Stafford

Jeremy Lefroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many new companies were started in Stafford constituency in each of the last three years.

Matthew Hancock: In each of the last three years, the following numbers of companies were incorporated in the Staffordshire constituency: YearNumber2011/1213,3362012/1313,3492013/1413,445

Apprentices: Northern Ireland

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive on encouraging businesses to offer apprenticeships to young people.

Nick Boles: My Rt. Hon. Friend the then Minister for Skills and Enterprise (Matthew Hancock) met with the four nation Ministers including Dr Stephen Farry, MLA, Minister for Employment and Learning, on 19 June 2014.He updated Ministers on the review of apprenticeships and trailblazer reforms in England.Dr Stephen Farry informed Ministers that Northern Ireland would be producing a new strategy on apprenticeships and this was formally announced on 24 June 2014.Ministers agreed that an official-level group would be beneficial and my Rt. Hon. Friend. the now Minister for Business and Energy Matthew Hancock suggested extending the remit of the UK strategic policy forum to include apprenticeships. The UK Strategic Forum meets approximately one month prior to the four nation Ministerial meetings and the first meeting took place on 4 June 2014.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Jo Swinson: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave on 14 July 2014, Official Report Col 537W. Although the Hon. Member has requested information in respect of a slightly shorter period (i.e. since 2010 and not each of the past 5 years) and has asked about fees over the prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests rather than in relation to freedom of information cases generally, the answer remains the same as that previously given.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Jo Swinson: The Department has made 269 appointments by exception since April 2011. Centrally held records are not available prior to April 2011. The Department does not release the name of individuals appointed to posts.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Jo Swinson: An element of the Department’s overall pay bill for staff below the Senior Civil Service (SCS) is allocated to payments related directly to performance. There are two types of award: Annual performance awards, that reward staff based on their annual performance rating.In-year awards that recognise strong performance in particularly demanding tasks or situations. These can be in the form of cash payments or vouchers.   These non-consolidated, non-pensionable one-off payments are used to drive high performance in the department and do not add to future pay bills. Details of the number and cost of in-year awards in 2013, and until the end of September in 2014 are contained in table below.  Number of Cash Awards Total Value of Cash Awards(£)Number of Vouchers Total Value of Vouchers(£)20131,489434,74380332,1102014*1,145353,20078841,525* Jan – Sept 2014

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Jo Swinson: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House. It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are so small.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Jo Swinson: Statistics on the Freedom of Information performance of Government Departments since January 2010 are published by the Ministry of Justice. They are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics#2010-2012.   The published statistics include the numbers of requests received by each Department, the numbers answered in full and where information was partly or fully withheld.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Jo Swinson: In 2012, the Department (including our UKTI organisation), purchased 13 iPhones at £360 each, through our framework contract with Vodafone. The call costs for each of those phones would have been absorbed into the standard mobile telephony running cost budget and so aren't identified individually.Our corporate Smart Phone service is not predicated on iPhone technology and so no further purchases have been made to date.

Technology: Employment

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, if he will estimate the number of jobs which will be displaced by technological change in the next (a) five and (b) 10 years.

Matthew Hancock: The changing technological landscape is not expected to have a negative net impact on employment growth in the wider economy over the next five to 10 years. It is difficult to reliably estimate the number of jobs which could be displaced by technological change. New technology opens up new job opportunities, the Warwick University Working Futures projections, based on past trends, indicate 1.9 million additional jobs growth for the whole economy and a greater than 20% increase in jobs in Information Technology sectors between 2012 and 2022 [1]. Through initiatives like the Your Life campaign, we are ensuring the supply of future talent.  1 https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298510/working-futures-2012-2022-main-report.pdf

Apprentices

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to encourage offers of apprenticeships to adults without GCSEs.

Nick Boles: Apprenticeships are jobs and as such individual employers set their own entry requirements.We have introduced Traineeships, working with employers, to offer people aged 16 – 24, often without GCSEs, an opportunity to develop the skills and experience needed to compete successfully for an apprenticeship or other job.

Apprentices

Meg Hillier: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, how many apprentices have been employed through the employer ownership pilot for apprenticeships; and how much of the £340 million allocated to this pilot has been spent.

Nick Boles: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Skilled Workers: Bristol

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps his Department is taking to support the retention of skills and jobs in the Bristol region.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Rolls-Royce

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of job losses at Rolls Royce on the retention of key engineering skills in the Bristol region.

Matthew Hancock: The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Manufacturing Industries: Bristol

Charlotte Leslie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with (a) Rolls Royce and (b) other aerospace and engineering employers in the Bristol region.

Matthew Hancock: My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has regular discussions with aerospace and engineering companies who employ people in Bristol, such as Airbus and GKN. Most recently, he spoke with John Rishton, Chief Executive of Rolls-Royce on 3rd November. I also speak to aerospace employers regularly, including through the Aerospace Growth Partnership.   Over the past year, my Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has visited Bristol on three separate occasions on 3 April, 7 July and 30 October. On 3 April he visited Redcliffe Precision, a small aerospace company, and he also met with West of England Local Enterprise Partnership which includes Bristol Airport and Airbus. On 7 July he visited Bristol Robotics Laboratory. On 30 October he spoke and participated at an event at the National Composites Centre involving around 350 representatives from a wide range of aerospace and engineering employers, including from Bristol.

Department for International Development

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to her Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID does not offer Instant Rewards as part of its Pay and Reward Strategy.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID’s financial data cannot be disaggregated in the way that has been requested.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on how many occasions her Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House. It would not be appropriate to publish DFID details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are so small.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many Freedom of Information requests her Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) publishes a quarterly statistics bulletin concerning Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from all government departments including DFID. The bulletin includes tables showing how many requests were granted in full, or resulted in some information being withheld or all information withheld. The MoJ statistics bulletin can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics .

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on how many occasions her Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The number of exceptions granted by the Civil Service Commission for DFID since 2010 is:   2009/10172010/1172011/1222012/131052013/1470   Releasing details of appointees could lead to the individual being identified and would therefore breach the legitimate expectation of an individual’s right to protection of their personal information.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how much her Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID has not purchased any iPhones for use by staff since 2010.

Bangladesh

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assistance her Department is providing to rice farmers in Bangladesh to purify irrigation water of organic arsenic contaminants.

Mr Desmond Swayne: DFID is not supporting rice farmers to purify irrigation water in Bangladesh.

Montserrat

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether (a) an environmental impact assessment and (b) a planning application were prepared prior to the clearing and infilling of the Pipers Pond wetland in Montserrat; and if she will place in the Library a copy of such documents.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps are taken to minimise the environmental effects of sand mining in Montserrat.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether a Landscape Impact and Mitigation Assessment has been conducted on the Carr's Bay Port development funded by her Department in Montserrat.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether (a) an environmental impact assessment and (b) a strategic environmental assessment has been prepared for the Marine Village Project on Montserrat; and if she will place in the Library a copy of each such document.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what infractions of the Montserrat physical planning regulations have occurred on construction projects financed by her Department on that island in each of the last four years.

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment has been made of the success of (a) coral translocations and (b) mangrove planting conducted in Montserrat in the last two years as part of environmental mitigation for development projects funded by her Department.

Mr Desmond Swayne: Environmental Management, Conservation and Physical Planning is the responsibility of the Government of Montserrat (GoM). GoM is accountable for the compliance of its own environment and conservation legislation and planning regulations.   DFID is supportive of GoM’s attempts to strengthen their environment management and praises GoM for the passing of the Conservation and Environmental Management Act this year.   We are not aware of any infractions of physical planning regulations occurring on DFID funded projects in the last four years.   DFID has not funded infrastructure for the Marine Village, Pipers Pond, sand mining or Carr’s Bay Port development.   When designing projects DFID takes into account a wide range of issues and considerations including social and environmental impacts.

British Overseas Territories

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many permanent full-time equivalent staff in her Department are working full-time on environmental sustainability matters with the UK Overseas Territories (a) currently and (b) in each of the last five years.

Mr Desmond Swayne: The number of DFID staff working full-time on environmental sustainability matters as part of our support to UK Overseas Territories over the period in question is:   2009/101.02010/111.02011/121.02012/13Nil2013/140.5CurrentNil

Montserrat

Barry Gardiner: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what proportion of the annual expenditure of the government of Montserrat is provided by her Department.

Mr Desmond Swayne: For the financial year 2013/2014, DFID provided 56% of the Government of Montserrat’s recurrent budget.

Department for Education

Supply Teachers

Mr Nicholas Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much was spent on supply teachers in England and Wales in the academic year 2013-14.

Mr David Laws: Local authority (LA) maintained schools’ funding is allocated per financial year, whereas academy school funding is allocated on the basis of the academic year.In the financial year 2012-13 the amount spent on supply teachers[1] in LA maintained schools in England was £893,389,000. The 2013-14 data for LA maintained schools will be available in December. The amount spent on supply teachers in academies[2] in England in the 2012-13 academic year was £176,384,000. The 2013/14 data for academies will be available in the summer of 2015.Academies have responsibilities that maintained schools do not, particularly around services previously provided by the local authority (library services, behavioural support services, audit costs, etc.) and maintenance of capital assets. This can affect what the academy spends its funding on, meaning that an academy, by its nature, is likely to have a different pattern of spend than a maintained school. For this reason, figures for academies and maintained schools are not directly comparable.Expenditure on supply teachers in Wales is a devolved matter.[1] Includes salaries and wages for supply teaching staff employed directly by the school, premiums paid to insurers for supply teacher cover and includes costs paid to an agency for teaching staff that have been brought in to cover teacher absence. Includes cover of any period and for all reasons including illness, absence for training, and any leave.[2] The figures quoted for academies only include 1633 Single Academy Trusts and 135 Multi Academy Trusts that returned an accounting return (AR) for at least the full academic year of 2012/13. Multi academy trusts where one or more school within the trust was not open for the full 2012/13 academic year are not included.

Teachers: Training

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many places were distributed in the initial allocations for initial teacher training trainees to School Direct and HE providers in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13, (c) 2013-14, (d) 2014-15 and (e) 2015-16; and what the target number of trainees estimated by the National College of Teaching and Leadership, the National College for School Leadership and the Teaching Agency was in each of those years.

Mr David Laws: The data for initial teacher training (ITT) allocations for School Direct and HE providers over the last 5 years is shown in the table below: 2011/122012/132013/142014/152015/16HE providers28,66928,84126,79023,09522,224School Direct07729,58615,25417,609

Teachers: Recruitment

Nic Dakin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many trainee teachers were recruited in the initial allocations to School Direct in each subject to (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in each of the last four years.

Mr David Laws: The academic year 2013/14 was the first time School Direct information was available in the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) Census.[1] The information is published online at:www.gov.uk/government/statistics/initial-teacher-training-trainee-number-census-2013-to-2014Information from the 2013/14 ITT Census shows that 6,580 new entrants were recruited to School Direct initial teacher training places. Of these, 2,890 (44%) were recruited to primary places (i.e. primary schools) and the remaining 3,690 (56%) to secondary schools.The 2014/15 Census will be published on 27 November 2014.[1] There was a small number of School Direct providers in the academic year 2012-13; however the data was aggregated for publication.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to her Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Mr Nick Gibb: In 2013, 3,954 instant rewards were issued to officials of the Department for Education. The total value of such rewards was £132,140, giving an average value of £33.42.   In 2014 to date (4 November), 4,825 instant rewards have been issued. The total value of instant rewards this year has been £200,245, giving an average value of £41.50.   The instant reward scheme is funded from the staff pay bill (not in addition to it). Each year 0.1% of the pay budget is set aside to pay for instant reward vouchers and any associated tax and National Insurance.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on how many occasions her Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Nick Gibb: Since 2010, the Civil Service Commission has not turned down any requests made by the Department for Education to appoint a Senior Civil Servant by exception.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Mr Sam Gyimah: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families on 21 July 2014 to Question 206217.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many Freedom of Information requests her Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Mr Sam Gyimah: Quarterly and annual statistics on Freedom of Information requests received by the Department for Education, including the number of requests in which all requested information was released in full, is set out in the table below. This information is published online at:www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statisticsYearRequests receivedResolvable requests [1]Resolvable requests granted in full2010880733549 (75%)20111,149937590 (63%)20121,3091,038686 (66%)20131,7591,354931 (69%)2014 (Q1 and Q2)961710399 (56%)[1] Resolvable – requests in which it was possible to give a substantive decision on whether to release the information being sought; for example, excluding requests where the information sought was not held or further clarification was necessary.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, on how many occasions her Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Nick Gibb: Since 1 April 2010, the Department for Education has made 1,722 appointments by exception. The numbers of appointments are set out in the table below: Financial Year Exceptions2010/11322011/122162012/1313532013/14621/04/14 to date59   Of these exceptions, 1,565 were the result of a programme to reform the Department’s Arm’s Length Bodies (ALBs) which gave staff the right of transfer into the Department and its new Executive Agencies.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how much her Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Department for Education has spent the following amounts on iPhones in each year since 2010:   YearCosts (£)2010020111,18820121,83620130201431,038   In 2011 and 2012 a total of six iPhones were purchased for staff with accessibility requirements where the standard departmental mobile device (Blackberry) would not meet their needs. There was no requirement to purchase any further devices in 2013.   The significant increase in 2014 was due to the implementation of a new mobile working pilot utilising ‘GOOD’ Technology (a secure IT mobility solution) where iPhones were the preferred device and 57 devices were purchased as part of the pilot. Following an evaluation, the pilot has now been discontinued, and the Department is in discussions with Vodafone regarding the return of these devices and recuperation of costs. The above costs include the purchase of an Apple iPhone device with live SIM card. The models purchased were a combination of iPhone 4, 5 and 5S.

Pupils: Attendance

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will review The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 in accordance with the families test as recently announced by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

Mr Nick Gibb: The Education Act 1996 places a duty on the parents of any child of compulsory school age who is registered at a school, to ensure their child’s regular attendance. The Education (Pupil Registration) (England) Regulation 2006 and subsequent amendments provide the basis upon which schools record pupil attendance. It ensures that both parents and the school know the whereabouts of pupils and are held to account for fulfilling their duty towards those pupils. This is not new Government policy and it has been the result of considerable deliberation and scrutiny. The Department for Education does not intend to review the application of the 2013 Regulations in light of the announcement made by my Rt hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions regarding the families test.

Teachers: Pay

Mr Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will make a comparative assessment of the rates of pay of (a) agency supply teachers and (b) teachers employed in schools under the School Teachers' Pay and Conditions document.

Mr David Laws: Arrangements for the engagement of agency supply teachers, including their pay rates, are private commercial arrangements. The Government does not collect data on these arrangements and so is unable to make a comparative assessment with the salaries of teachers who are subject to the terms of the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document.

Supply Teachers

Mr Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if her Department will estimate the average (a) daily and (b) weekly cost to a school of employing a supply teacher (i) through a supply teacher agency, (ii) through a local authority supply pool and (iii) directly by the school.

Mr David Laws: The Department for Education does not collect data on the daily or weekly costs of supply teachers employed by schools, supply teaching agencies or local authorities. The rate of pay depends on how supply teachers are employed. Supply teachers employed directly by a state maintained school or local authority must be paid in accordance with the statutory arrangements for teachers laid down in the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions Document. Other arrangements for the engagement of supply teachers, including their rates of pay, are private commercial arrangements.

Teachers: Pensions

Mr Bob Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has any plans to extend participation in the Teachers' Pension Scheme to teachers employed by or through supply teacher agencies.

Mr David Laws: Supply teachers, who are employed by accepted employers, are able to participate in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme, and already do so. These are most commonly teachers employed by local authorities to provide supply cover to maintained schools. The employer-employee relationship is important because the employer is responsible for meeting a number of obligations, which include paying both member and employer contributions to the scheme.Schools and local authorities are responsible for the recruitment of their supply teachers, including decisions over whether to use private agencies to recruit and manage them. If a teacher is supplied by a private agency, this is a private commercial arrangement between the school and the agency and as such there is no employer-employee relationship between the school and teacher. It is for schools and local authorities to determine how they engage supply teachers and, depending on whether this is through private agencies or accepted employers, whether participation in the scheme is permitted.

Priority School Building Programme

John Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, which schools in each region and constituent part of the UK have had construction work (a) started and (b) completed in the Priority School Building Programme.

Mr David Laws: The Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) is a centrally managed programme set up to address the needs of the schools most in need of urgent repair. Through the programme, 261 schools will be rebuilt or have their condition needs met by the Education Funding Agency (EFA).The following school buildings have been handed over:Durham Trinity School and Sports College, DurhamFountaindale School, NottinghamshireGarston Manor School, HertfordshireHill Top School, GatesheadIan Ramsey C of E Aided Comprehensive School, Stockton-on-TeesLees Brook Community School, DerbyMill Green School, St. Helen’sSt Thomas More Catholic Primary School, CoventryStratford School Academy, NewhamThe Cedar School, SouthamptonUsworth Grange Primary School, SunderlandWest Cornforth Primary School, DurhamWhitmore Park Primary School, CoventryWyken Croft Primary School, CoventryConstruction work is continuing at a number of the above schools to demolish the old dilapidated buildings.As of 13 October, construction work was ongoing at the following 54 schools:Alice Stevens School, CoventryBank View High School (with Redbridge High School), LiverpoolBarnard Grove Primary School, HartlepoolCamberwell Park Specialist Support School, ManchesterCollegiate High School, BlackpoolDurham Trinity School and Sports College, DurhamErnesford Grange Community School, CoventryFlowery Field Primary School, TamesideForest Lodge Primary School, LeicesterFountaindale School, NottinghamshireFox Hill Primary, SheffieldFoxfield School, WirralGarston Manor School, HertfordshireGoole High School, East Riding of YorkshireGrangefield School, Stockton-on-TeesHallmoor School, BirminghamHandale Primary School, Redcar and ClevelandHarris Academy Greenwich, GreenwichHaytor View Community Primary School, DevonHighfurlong School, BlackpoolHill Top School, GatesheadHoly Trinity C of E Primary School, HartlepoolIan Ramsey C of E Aided Comprehensive School, Stockton-on-TeesKing James I Academy Bishop Aucklandm, DurhamLaleham Gap School, KentLawford Mead Primary (replaces Lawford Mead Infant and Lawford Mead Junior Schools), EssexLees Brook Community School, DerbyManor College of Technology, HartlepoolMill Green School, St. HelensMontacute School, PooleNorth Cambridge Academy, CambridgeshirePardes House Primary School, BarnetPrince Edward Primary School, SheffieldRedbridge High School (with Bank View High School), LiverpoolReigate Primary School, DerbyRichard Lee Primary School, CoventrySmarden Primary School, KentSt Anthony's Catholic Girls' Academy, SunderlandSt John's Church School, PeterboroughSt Michael's Catholic Academy, Stockton-on-TeesSt Thomas More Catholic Primary School, CoventryStratford School Academy, NewhamSuffolk New Academy, SuffolkThe Canterbury Primary School, KentThe Cedar School, SouthamptonThe Edith Borthwick School, EssexThe Grove Primary School, DevonThe Highfield School, HertfordshireThomas Gainsborough School, SuffolkUsworth Grange Primary School, SunderlandWest Cornforth Primary School, DurhamWhitmore Park Primary School, CoventryWyken Croft Primary School, CoventryWyvern College, Wiltshire

Schools: Hampshire

Mr Michael Thornton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to increase the number of school places in Hampshire; and what steps she is taking to allow children in Hampshire to walk to school.

Mr David Laws: It is the responsibility of each local authority to balance the supply and demand for primary and secondary school places in their area and secure a place for every child of statutory age who wants one.The Department for Education collects information from local authorities on the number of school places in state-funded primary and secondary schools and local authorities’ own pupil forecasts as part of the annual School Capacity Collection. The most recent data available relates to the position at May 2013, with primary forecasts to 2017/18 and secondary forecasts to 2019/20, and is published online at:www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-capacity-academic-year-2012-to-2013Between 2009/10 and 2012/13, Hampshire Local Authority created 1,290 school places. There are 9,940 new primary places planned for delivery between 2013/14 and 2015/16 and the Department has estimated that Hampshire needs 920 additional primary places to meet anticipated demand in 2015/16. This information, along with technical notes, is published in the Local Authority Basic Need Scorecards, which is published online:www.gov.uk/government/publications/primary-school-places-local-authority-basic-need-scorecardsThe Department provides capital funding to local authorities in line with the estimated level of need in each local authority. Hampshire has been allocated a total of £77.4 million for the period 2011-2015 and a further £11.5 million targeted basic need funding to create additional school places. The local authority has also been allocated £64.7 million for 2015-2017 to provide places needed by September 2017.Local authorities are under a duty to promote sustainable travel and transport. The duty applies to children and young people of compulsory school age who travel to receive education or training in a local authority’s area. Local walking, cycling, and bus strategies should inform the local authority’s duty to promote sustainable school travel.

Primary Education: Free School Meals

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential costs and benefits of the introduction of universal infant free school meals in the UK.

Mr David Laws: The Department for Education is responsible for the introduction of the requirement that state-funded schools in England should offer universal infant free school meals, which came into effect on 1 September 2014. Between 2009 and 2011 the Department for Education and the Department of Health piloted the provision of universal free school meals in Durham and Newham. The independent evaluation of those pilots showed that there were a number of benefits arising from the provision of universal free school meals, including improved attainment, healthier eating habits and increases in the uptake of meals among children who would have been eligible for free school meals under the existing criteria. We also know, from research carried out by the School Food Trust (now Children’s Food Trust), that universal infant free school meals will save families who previously paid for school lunches up to £400 a year per infant child. The Department has used School Food Trust research into the costs of school meal provision, as well as feedback from local authorities and stakeholders, to inform the allocation of funding for this policy and the targeting of implementation support. In particular, this research informed the decision to allocate £2.30 of revenue funding per meal taken by newly eligible pupils.

Music: Teachers

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many primary schools have at least one trained music teacher; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Nick Gibb: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Schools: Sports

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria Ofsted uses for inspection of the welfare of children engaging in sporting activities during school hours.

Mr David Laws: This is a matter for Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, Sir Michael Wilshaw. A copy of his reply will be placed in the library of the House.

Cookham Wood Young Offender Institution

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to the written answer of 3 November 2014, to Question 212297, what the reasons were for the requests by HMYOI Cookham Wood for cancellation of education hours.

Mr David Laws: As reported to the Education Funding Agency for June 2014 for the delivery of education and training at HMYOI Cookham Wood, cancellations by the prison were as follows:Category under which cancellations are recorded by HM Prison ServiceTotal percentage of cancelled hoursCourts2.63Visits1.50Sickness/Medical0.50Regime Activities1.71Incidents[1]42.60Refusal6.63Segregation13.92Discharge/Transfer2.92Adjudication4.96Offender Management2.25Operational Shortfalls8.59Other11.80Weekly Totals100.00This performance is not acceptable and the Department will expect a significant reduction in cancelled hours.[1] This category refers to acts of violence by offenders, such as assaults, fights, etc.

Ministry of Justice

Prison Service

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if he will consult the Prison Officers' Association on the work-related well-being of prison staff.

Andrew Selous: My officials do consult and will continue to consult the Prison Officers’ Association on the work-related well-being of prison staff within England and Wales. My Ministry launched an Employee Assistance Programme on 6th October 2014 that provides: 24 hour helpline including counselling; a health promotion and well being website; trauma support for staff within England and Wales prisons involved in serious incidents; business support for managers; mediation and other services. The POA and other recognised TUS were all aware of the proposals for this service and had opportunities in the Whitley consultative committees to discuss them with the lead officials. Please note that the answer provided is only for prisons within England and Wales.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Simon Hughes: The Department, along with every other government department, is reviewing the needs of its staff to work effectively, and is seeking the delivery of solutions to meet these needs, including flexible IT. The provision of iPhones on a trial basis to selected staff is one element of this work.Please see below departmental spend on iPhones each year since 2010.Financial yearSpend*2010/11Nil2011/12£7322012/13£9622013/14£6,6392014/15£11,404.84 * Spend data relates to invoiced spend up to 3rd September 2014 and is inclusive of both hardware and voice / data costs.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mike Penning: Information for number of appointments by exception in the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and National Offender Management Service (NOMS) is set out in the table below. Recruitment Exceptions2011/122012/132013/14MoJ2357585NOMS45185Total23980270  Information for 2010/2011 is not available as this data was not collated centrally. In line with the Data Protection Act, we are also unable to provide details of who was appointed to each post. The Recruitment Principles explain the legal requirement that selection for appointment to the Civil Service must be on merit on the basis of fair and open competition. They also set out the circumstances in which appointments can be made as exceptions to this requirement; and describe the responsibilities of departments and agencies in meeting this requirement. The Recruitment Principles 2014 came into operation on Monday 21 April 2014. The Recruitment Principles 2012 apply to appointments made before then. The data provided refers to the Recruitment Principles 2012 which can be accessed at the following link: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Recruitment-Principles-April-2012.pdf

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Simon Hughes: The Ministry of Justice publishes quarterly and annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The reports, which date back to 2010, include statistics on the number of resolvable requests (requests where it would have been possible to provide a substantive response) where the information was withheld in full. These reports can be accessed via the following webpage:http://www.justice.gov.uk/statistics/foi/implementation.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Simon Hughes: I refer the honourable member to the answer provided by my Right Honourable friend, the Minister for Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, on 10th November 2014.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Simon Hughes: This information is not held centrally. To obtain this information each Ministry of Justice business area would need to review every Freedom of Information request it had handled since 2010 to establish if any legal fees had been paid and, if they had, if any of those fees related to cases where the information had been withheld. Therefore, it would only be possible to provide this information at disproportionate cost.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Simon Hughes: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) rewards individuals for exceptional contributions which further the aims and objectives of the department or meet an exceptional shorter-term operational challenge. The MoJ currently offers two types of reward and recognition: cash awards and voucher awards. Cash awards are payments of non-consolidated performance pay for amounts of up to £100 for a once-off contribution or payments of £100 - £500 for sustained outstanding contribution. Voucher awards are vouchers up to the value of £50 to recognise outstanding once-off contributions, or contributions which a benchmarking panel considers deserve recognition but do not warrant a higher payment. For the financial year April 2013 to March 2014 4,555 cash awards were made, the total value of which was £968,751. 21,898 vouchers were awarded, the total value of which was £639,260. Information on reward and recognition is collated on an annual basis so the data for March 2014 to date is not currently available. Like other organisations, we use a full range of pay and reward mechanisms which will reward exceptional performance from our staff both in year and for a sustained level of performance over the year. Both ensure responsible use of public money. Since 2010 we have reduced our spend on instant rewards by almost 30%, with significant saving for the taxpayer.

Road Traffic Offences: Cycling

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for each type of cycling offence in each police force area in each of the last 10 years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many fixed penalty notices have been issued to cyclists riding on footpaths in (a) Southend, (b) Essex and (c) the London Metropolitan Police area; and how many such notices (i) have been paid, (ii) are currently outstanding, (iii) have been written-off and (iv) have had a warrant issued for the arrest of the offender.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many pedal cyclists in each police force area have been convicted of each type of offence relating to contravention of Road Traffic Acts in each of the last five years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many people have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted of cycling on footpaths in each of the last five years for which information is available.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the average fine was for each type of cycling offence in each of the last two years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cyclists have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for each type of cycling offence in each police force area in each of the last 10 years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many (a) males and (b) females in each age group have been (i) prosecuted and (ii) convicted for each type of cycling offence in each court division in each of the last 10 years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cyclists have been (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for each type of cycling offence in each court division in each of the last 10 years.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many cyclists have been prosecuted for wanton and furious cycling in (a) Southend and (b) Essex in each of the last 10 years for which information is available.

Mike Penning: The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates’ courts, found guilty and fined for offences relating to pedal cycles by gender, age group and police force area in England and Wales, from 2003 to 2013 (the latest available) can be viewed in the table 1. The number of persons proceeded against at magistrates’ courts, found guilty and fined for offences connected with pedal cycles by gender, age group and court can be viewed in the table 2. Trend data can be viewed in table 3.Data on fixed penalty notices and data on warrants for the arrest of the offender are not held centrally by the Ministry of Justice. Furthermore, data held centrally on the Court Proceedings Database is not available at constituency level.



cycling offences by police force
(Excel SpreadSheet, 623.17 KB)




cycling offences by court
(Excel SpreadSheet, 796.93 KB)




cycling offences trends
(Excel SpreadSheet, 35.5 KB)

Repossession Orders: Suffolk

Mr David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many court orders were issued for the repossession of homes in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency and (b) Suffolk County Council area in each year since 2010.

Mike Penning: The number of court orders issued for the repossession of properties in (a) Bury St Edmunds constituency and (b) Suffolk County Council area since 2010 are given in the accompanying table.



Possession Orders table
(Excel SpreadSheet, 25.5 KB)

Prisons: Drugs

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many prisoners in England and Wales have died from drug overdoses in each of the last three years.

Andrew Selous: The number of deaths in prison custody from drug overdoses for the last 3 years is published in the Safety in Custody statistical bulletin which is available at http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/safety-in-custody-statistics.Table 1.12 of the Deaths in Prison Custody 1978-2013 shows self-inflicted deaths by method. We are working hard to manage the levels of self-harm in prison and are carefully investigating the rise in self-inflicted deaths. We are applying strenuous efforts to learn from each one and providing further resources and support to prisons to help support their safer custody work.

Courts: Training

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014, to Question 212599, what estimate he has made of the number of court staff who interact with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 212599, how many officials in his Department have undergone Crown and Magistrates' Court Witness Liaison Oficer Awareness training in each year since May 2010.

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 212599, how many officials in his Department have undergone Vulnerable and Intimidated Witnesses Awareness training in each year since May 2010.

Mike Penning: All operational court staff in customer service roles are in a position to interact with vulnerable and intimidated witnesses. Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service is committed to ensuring that court staff have the appropriate training and skills to support vulnerable victims and witnesses in court. From April 2015, it will become a mandatory requirement for court staff that come into direct contact with victims and witnesses to have a specific job objective on the care of victims.These training courses are delivered within HMCTS regions depending on locally identified business needs. HMCTS does not collect information centrally on the number of court staff who have undertaken them since May 2010.

Capita

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, on how many occasions Capita Group plc has tendered for contracts let by his Department in each year since May 2010; how many such tenders have been successful; how much his Department and its predecessors paid to Capita Group plc for the execution of contracts in each such year; how many contracts which terminate after 2015 Capita Group plc hold with his Department; and what the monetary value is of all outstanding contracts between his Department and Capita Group plc.

Mike Penning: We are unable to answer the first part of your question as doing so would incur disproportionate costs. To provide this information would entail identifying and contacting all individuals responsible for the operational and commercial management of contracts relating to Capita Group plc to find out how many occasions Capita Group plc has tendered for contracts let by his Department in each year since May 2010.I will write to the honourable member in due course to answer the rest of the question.

Consultants

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, how many external consultants work in his Department.

Andrew Selous: The Ministry of Justice currently has 34 Live Contracts to provide the Provision of Consultancy. As the Contracts are awarded to Companies on a project basis, the Ministry of Justice cannot establish the exact number working at a specific point in time. The number and seniority of consultants will vary depending on the stage in the project. To establish the exact number of consultants we would need to interrogate both the files and Companies to obtain the information required and then review and collate that information. By doing so we would incur disproportionate costs in answering this question. Temporary staff and consultants are only used to fill business critical posts and provide essential services where they can provide a fast, flexible and efficient way to obtain necessary skills that are not currently available in-house.

Courts: Fines

Mr Andy Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what the collection rate was for fines levied by each local criminal justice board in the last year for which figures are available.

Mike Penning: This Government takes recovery and enforcement of financial impositions very seriously and remains committed to finding new ways to encourage payment of impositions and to trace those who do not pay. This is why there has been a year on year increase in the amount of financial penalties collected over the last three years. The table below shows the proportion of the value of financial impositions (made between April 2013 to March 2014) that had been collected, cancelled or remained outstanding as at 31st March 2014. Financial impositions include fines, prosecution costs, compensation and victim surcharge. Accounting Division NameCollected Against Impositions in PeriodCancelled Impositions in PeriodOutstanding at the end of the PeriodAvon and Somerset36%10%54%Bedfordshire44%9%47%Cambridgeshire40%5%55%Cheshire51%4%45%Cleveland32%8%60%Cumbria34%5%60%Derbyshire39%7%54%Devon and Cornwall48%9%43%Dorset37%8%54%Durham38%8%55%Dyfed Powys46%10%44%Essex48%6%46%Gloucestershire42%7%51%Greater Manchester32%9%60%Gwent37%12%52%Hampshire & IOW37%11%52%Hertfordshire40%8%52%Humberside40%5%55%Kent35%6%59%Lancashire34%16%50%Leicestershire43%14%44%Lincolnshire44%10%46%London34%8%58%Merseyside32%6%62%Norfolk38%8%54%North Wales45%6%48%North Yorkshire51%5%43%Northamptonshire34%6%59%Northumbria33%7%60%Nottinghamshire36%10%54%South Wales40%11%48%South Yorkshire28%10%62%Staffordshire35%9%56%Suffolk38%9%53%Surrey55%5%40%Sussex41%6%52%Thames Valley45%7%48%Warwickshire36%7%57%West Mercia35%15%50%West Midlands32%6%62%West Yorkshire33%18%49%Wiltshire37%5%58% The ‘percentage outstanding’ is based upon the value of accounts outstanding at the end of the period; it includes accounts that were not due to be paid by the end of the period specified and those that were being paid by instalments on agreed payment plans. The ‘accounts cancelled’ percentage comprises both administrative and legal cancellations.

Police Cautions

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, for what offences and under what circumstances police officers of Staffordshire Police, West Yorkshire Police and Leicestershire Police will be required to seek permission of the Crown Prosecution Service before issuing the community resolutions and suspended prosecutions being piloted in those areas.

Mike Penning: We plan to put an end to the cautions culture and to replace the conditional caution with the suspended prosecution. Before doing so, Staffordshire Police, West Yorkshire Police and Leicestershire Police are piloting a new, two-tier framework for out of court disposals based on the conditional caution and the community resolution. Police officers in these areas, as in other parts of England and Wales, may in exceptional circumstances administer a conditional caution for an indictable only offence and must seek the permission of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) before doing so. There is no requirement for police officers to seek the approval of the CPS before administering a community resolution.

Ministry of Defence

Combined Cadet Force

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, which (a) private and (b) state schools have a Combined Cadet Force unit.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 17 October 2014



The private and state schools which have a Combined Cadet Force (CCF) unit are shown on the attached list. Of the state schools, 41 are schools which have established CCF units under the Cadet Expansion Programme.



209251-Combined Cadet Force Private/State Schools
(Word Document, 85.5 KB)

DSG Ashchurch

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Conditioning report commissioned from Babcock International, dated 3 February 2011, on the approximate costs of repairing his Department's site at Ashchurch; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what cost for repairing his Department's site at Ashchurch was estimated in the report commissioned by Babcock International dated 3 February 2011.

Mr Philip Dunne: Holding answer received on 20 October 2014



In January 2011, the Defence Support Group (DSG) commissioned a study on behalf of the Ministry of Defence through their existing facilities' management provider, Babcock, to assess the maintenance work required to enable the DSG to safely undertake vehicle and equipment operation from specified buildings on the site at Ashchurch until 2016. The study, submitted in February 2011, estimated that the cost 'to make safe' the site for the five year period would be £2.863 million excluding VAT. The study report was passed to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation and Defence Equipment and Support for the recommendations to be acted upon.I am unable to place a copy of the document in the Library as it's disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.

Armed Forces: Compensation

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what Veterans UK policy is on prioritising the compensation claims of armed forces veterans with more serious illnesses or injuries.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 28 October 2014



The Ministry of Defence (MOD) attaches importance to ensuring that claims for compensation which are particularly deserving are treated as a priority. Veterans UK administers the War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation Schemes. Within both Schemes, compensation claims from, or in relation to, Armed Forces veterans are treated as a priority where they are identified by the caseworker as 'seriously injured or vulnerable Service leavers' (as decided through the single Service welfare cells), or are diagnosed terminally ill, or have died in Service or have claimed a number of serious medical conditions in their application.These claims are subject to an accelerated process, marked as 'Priority' and treated as such at all stages of the administrative process. They are settled at the earliest opportunity once a decision has been taken.In Armed Forces Compensation cases Veterans UK's objective is to make a decision and clear the case within 20 working days of the last piece of evidence being received. This aim has been achieved for at least the last four years.

Veterans: Social Rented Housing

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel have been placed on his Department's referral scheme co-ordinated by the Joint Service Housing Advice Office in each year since 2010; and how many personnel so referred successfully found accommodation through the scheme in each year since 2010.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 30 October 2014



The number of personnel who have applied to the Joint Service Housing Advice Office referral scheme and have been housed is as follows:   YearNumber of applicants*Number housed via the scheme201019624201118516201213082013866362014(as at 24 October)17422   * In 2013, a database transfer of historical data only retained those applicants who were still eligible between the years 2010-2012 at that time. Consequently figures for 2010-12 are only for eligible applicants whereas those for 2013-14 also include ineligible applicants.

Air Space

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if two non-cooperating aircraft operating in the same Class G airspace at the same time can be regarded as a Risk to Life.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



The appropriate military Duty Holder for each aircraft fleet is required to undertake a Risk to Life assessment at quarterly intervals. One of the risks considered is that of mid air collision with non-cooperating aircraft. This includes in uncontrolled airspace away from airfields, airports and the airways system (Class G airspace). Following this assessment, the Duty Holder is required to put in place appropriate controls and mitigating measures to ensure that any potential risk is both tolerable and as low as reasonably practicable.

Defence Cultural Specialist Unit

Rory Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the armed forces have spent more than six months studying with the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit; and how many are studying now.

Rory Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many weeks of cultural and historical training the average graduate of the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit course receives in addition to their language training.

Mr Mark Francois: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



The Defence Cultural Specialist Unit is not a training establishment and therefore does not offer any courses in the generally accepted use of the term. Its role is to prepare and provide Cultural Specialists and Human Terrain Analysts for units at readiness or deploying on operations. The Unit works with a variety of organisations, including the Defence Centre for Language and Culture at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, to ensure that its personnel are appropriately trained to meet the UK's commitments.After the completion of appropriate language training, which also includes elements of cultural and historical learning, a Cultural Specialist will receive, on average, between 3-5 weeks of cultural and historical training specific to their future role.Since the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit was formed in 2010, 59 personnel have spent more than six months undertaking related studies. These are provided at a range of locations, including the Defence Centre for Language and Culture at the Defence Academy. As at 30 October 2014 the Unit had seven personnel undertaking cultural and historical training.

Iraq

Mr Peter Hain: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether any UK personnel deployed on Operation Telic have reported any ill effects due to exposure to legacy chemical weapons and made any claims for compensation due to exposure, whether real or perceived, to chemical weapons.

Mr Mark Francois: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.However, we have identified the Service personnel who formed the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear teams involved in the operation to destroy Iraqi chemical weapons and there is no record of any of these personnel having made claims relating to exposure to chemical weapons.

Armed Forces: Housing

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when Boulogne Barracks, Catterick, was last used as accommodation for single servicemen and women; what the maximum number of personnel who could be accommodated in that barracks was at that time; and if he will make an estimate of how much the cost was of renovating that barracks for use as single living accommodation.

Mr Mark Francois: Bourlon Barracks still routinely provides accommodation for up to 112 personnel. It can accommodate up to 1,108 personnel but there are no plans to use other buildings within the Barracks for this purpose. There has, therefore, been no estimate of how much the cost of renovating Bourlon Barracks for use as Single Living Accommodation would be.

Army: Northern Ireland

Mr Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will assess the merits of Army Technical Operations personnel in Northern Ireland being based closer to locations where the majority of explosive devices have been found in the last five years.

Mr Mark Francois: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



I would like to pay tribute to the work of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams in Northern Ireland who respond with extreme professionalism to all requests for assistance, throughout Northern Ireland. I am confident that the support which the teams provide to the Police Service of Northern Ireland is delivered in the most operationally effective way possible commensurate with the specific environment, and that this view is shared by the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

War Pensions

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much in total is paid to claimants of the War Pensions Scheme in each age group claiming (a) the Allowance for a Lowered Standard of Occupation and (b) the Unemployability Supplement.

Anna Soubry: Holding answer received on 05 November 2014



It is not possible to provide details of how much is paid in each age range to recipients of the Allowance for a Lowered Standard of Occupation and the Unemployability Supplement because details of such expenditure are not held in age groupings, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, for financial year 2013-14, a total of £33 million was paid to recipients of the Allowance for a Lowered Standard of Occupation and £37 million was paid to recipients of the Unemployability Supplement.

Military Decorations

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will review his Department's policy on the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal.

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is with respect to the Accumulated Campaign Service Medal; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The Ministry of Defence has no plans to review the qualifying criteria for the Accumulated Service Medal (ACSM).The ACSM was instituted in January 1994 (for all three Services) with a qualifying period of 36 months to recognise aggregated operational Service in Northern Ireland since 14 August 1969. The qualifying criteria were last amended in 2010 when it was agreed that the method of recognising repeat tours through the accumulation of operational service remained valid, but that the qualifying period should be reduced to 24 months from 1 January 2008. From that date, operational service has been rewarded, when eligible, by the award of the ACSM (2011), rather than ACSM (1994).Issues surrounding the ACSM were looked at during Sir John Holmes's review of Military Medals, as part of work to consider claims for further medallic recognition. The conclusion of that review was announced in the House of Lords on 29 July 2014 (Official Report, column WS147).

Afghanistan

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many (a) military personnel and (b) UK personnel there will be in the NATO training, advice and assistance mission in Afghanistan in 2015.

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether agreement has been reached with the President of Afghanistan on the role and status of (a) foreign and (b) UK military personnel in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Mark Francois: The recent signature of the US/Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) by the Afghan Government opened a new chapter for cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community. The SOFA provides the legal basis for the NATO follow-on mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces from 2015. We would expect to contribute a few hundred military personnel.

Wrecks

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the extent of damage done to the wrecks of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales; what steps can be taken better to prevent the desecration of these designated war graves; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: The wrecks of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales lie in international waters off Malaysia and are designated as protected places under the United Kingdom's Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Regrettably we are aware of unauthorised salvaging and damage to the wrecks. We are engaged with the Government of Malaysia and the Royal Malaysian Navy to prevent further damage. In May 2014, the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur issued a press release welcoming the actions of the Royal Malaysian Navy to impound a Cambodian registered vessel responsible for illegally disturbing and salvaging ship wrecks for scrap material. We took the opportunity to highlight that wrecks should be treated as military maritime graves and given the respect they deserve.The large number of Royal Navy wrecks around the world means there are limitations on what can be achieved by the United Kingdom alone with regard to enforcing protection but where we have definitive evidence of desecration of sites, we will respond. Also, when items from protected wrecks are found to be for sale the Government can intervene, as we did successfully in May 2014 when items from HMS Repulse and HMS Exeter were removed from an auction in Australia and taken possession of by our High Commission in Canberra.

Armed Forces: Drugs

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the British Army were dismissed for drug-related offences in the last three years; and how many such dismissals were for possession or use of cannabis.

Anna Soubry: The table sets out the information requested in respect of the British Army.   YearNumber of British Army personnel dismissed for drug-related offences?Number of British Army personnel dismissed for possession or use of cannabis?2012612013202014(as at 31 Oct)31 The information has been compiled using the date of conviction, not the date of offence. It does not include administrative discharges and therefore compulsory drugs test failures are not included.

Armed Forces: Drugs

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many members of the Royal Air Force were dismissed for drug-related offences in the last three years; and how many such dismissals were for possession or use of cannabis.

Anna Soubry: YearNumber of personnel dismissed for drug-related offencesNumber of personnel dismissed for the possession or use of Canabis2012002013102014 (to 5 November)00 This information has been compiled using the date of conviction, not the date of the offence.

Afghanistan

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assets and how many personnel will take part in Operation Resolute Support.

Mr Mark Francois: The NATO train, advise and assist mission will have around 12,000 personnel from NATO allies and partners in 2015. The UK will contribute a few hundred military personnel.

Piracy

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of the UK's contribution to Operation Atalanta in each financial year from 2008-09 to 2013-14.

Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost was of the UK's contribution to Ocean Shield in each financial year from 2009-10 to 2013-14.

Mr Mark Francois: Since 2008 the Royal Navy has contributed to the coalition counter-piracy and counter-terrorism operations commanded by the European Union (EU), NATO, and Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). This has included the contribution of assets; and the provision of the Operational Headquarters and Operational Commander for the EU’s Operation ATALANTA; the NATO Maritime Commander and Maritime Headquarters that has overall command of Operation OCEAN SHIELD; and the Deputy Commander and supporting staff for the CMF. In addition, the Royal Navy maintains a constant presence, including at least one frigate or destroyer, in the Gulf region. Anti-piracy and anti-terrorism measures off the Horn of Africa, in the Gulf of Aden, and in the Arabian Gulf are among a number of concurrent tasks carried out by the Royal Navy and supporting assets, and expenditure incurred on these operations is not identified separately. The common costs (ie those shared by EU and NATO members that are additional to the national contribution of the operation) for the EU and NATO are as follows:   Operation ATALANTA: Calendar Year£ million20098.320108.820117.820128.220137.520147 Operation OCEAN SHIELD: Calendar Year£ million20090.32720100.56820110.85020121.320130.45020140.830

USA

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what quantity of (a) enriched uranium and (b) tritium has been sent by the US to the UK under the provisions of the 1959 amendment to the 1958 US-UK Mutual Defense Agreement on Atomic Energy Matters in the last 30 years.

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what quantity of plutonium has been sent to the US from the UK under the provisions of the 1959 amendment to the 1958 US-UK Mutual Defense Agreement on Atomic Energy Matters in the last 30 years.

Mr Philip Dunne: This information is being withheld for the purposes of safeguarding national security.

NATO

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many personnel from the UK work in the NATO Co-operative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn; and how their work contributes to the National Security Strategy.

Mr Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence has seconded one member of staff to the NATO Co-operative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence since October 2013, and the UK officially joined the Centre as a sponsoring nation on 3 Jun 2014. The UK post at the Centre is part of the Strategy Branch, which supports NATO and sponsoring nations on present and future strategic cyber security issues, including the development and implementation of cyber defence capabilities.Research and study in this field constitutes the basis for developing strategic frameworks to address evolving threats. The National Security Strategy identified cyber security as one of the Tier One national security risks to the UK, alongside International Conflict, Terrorism, and Natural Disasters.As one of the sponsoring nations of the Centre the UK Ministry of Defence holds a seat on the Steering Group that directs the work of the Centre, has access to a number of free places on training courses run by the centre, and the ability to submit requests for research into cyber issues.

NATO

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what progress has been made on the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force since the NATO summit in September 2014.

Mr Mark Francois: The Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) is one element of the wider NATO Readiness Action Plan that also includes NATO Assurance Measures; the UK continues to contribute to these measures. Allies are currently considering detailed VJTF design proposals from NATO, ahead of the Defence Ministerial in February 2015, where decisions on force design will be made.

Libya

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent reports he has received on the extent of the circulation of illegal weapons in Libya.

Mr Mark Francois: We closely monitor the illegal arms trade with regards to Libya, and the risks of proliferation associated with uncontrolled stocks of weapons and ammunition.

Navy

Jim Shannon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to encourage school and college students to become submariners.

Anna Soubry: When invited, the Armed Forces visit schools or colleges to support the school curriculum; to improve the awareness of their role and the range of career opportunities across the Armed Forces, including those unique to the Submarine Service such as nuclear engineering, and to pass on valuable skills such as leadership, teamwork and citizenship. In addition, the Royal Navy has established affiliations with four University Technical Colleges specialising in engineering and technical subjects. Under these affiliations, and it is hoped that more will follow, the Royal Navy will provide engineering expertise to assist with student projects and provide key note speakers.Information on the Armed Forces in Britain and abroad, including their role, history, current operations and what it is like to work as part of the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, is also available to schools and colleges through the British Armed Forces Learning Resource 2014.

Armed Forces: Discharges

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his policy is on discharging a soldier aged under 18 if parental consent to enlistment is withdrawn; and if he will make a statement.

Anna Soubry: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State for the Armed Forces (Mr Robathan) on 7 February 2011, (Official Report, columns 26-7W) to the hon. Member for Leeds North East (Fabian Hamilton).



20110207 - Hansard extract
(Word Document, 27.5 KB)

Armed Forces: Discharges

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether all new trainees aged under 18 at all army training establishments are informed on arrival (a) orally and (b) in writing that they have a right of discharge at any point up until their 18th birthday.

Anna Soubry: All Army recruits under the age of 18 are repeatedly informed both verbally and in writing of their statutory right of discharge, during enlistment and training.

Army Foundation College

Sir Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the policy is of the Army Foundation College, Harrogate on allowing all soldiers to access welfare services on their own initiative at any time during their training; and if he will place in the Library a copy of all written policies concerning access to welfare services in that college.

Anna Soubry: The essential role that welfare services play in the training, development and retention of recruits under 18 is emphasised in the Army Foundation College Supervisory Care Directive. Every effort is made to ensure that access to welfare and pastoral care is available to recruits at all times. The Supervisory Care Directive is currently being reviewed. Once the review is complete the document will be placed in the Library of the House.

Protection of Military Remains Act 1986

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, when he next plans to propose secondary legislation under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

Anna Soubry: Since 2002, through five Statutory Instruments, 78 wrecks have been designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986 as either Protected Places or Controlled Sites. The last Statutory Instrument (SI 2012/1110) came into force on 1 June 2012.Ministry of Defence officials are considering which ships (from potentially more than 5,000) should be included in the next Statutory Instrument but I cannot yet give a timetable for the conclusion of that work.

Army Reserve: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the Army Reserve in Northern Ireland.

Mr Julian Brazier: The number of established posts for trained personnel in Army Reserve units based in Northern Ireland is set out in the table.   UnitArmy RegularArmy Reserve2nd Battalion, Royal Irish13400152 Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps14398253 (NI) Medical Regiment10305204 Field Hospital10202157 Field Company, 106 Battalion REME297Queens University Officer Training Corps4166B Sqn　Scottish and Northern Irish Yeomanry2 90206 Battery, 105 Regiment Royal Artillery2 84591 Field Squadron, 71 Engineer Regt3 11369 Signal Squadron, 32 Signal Regiment2 100Aviation Spec Group, 6 Army Air Corps0 6762 Military Intelligence　Company, 6 Military Intelligence　Battalion185Totals652,197

Navy: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Reserve in Northern Ireland.

Mr Julian Brazier: The Maritime Reserves are represented in Northern Ireland by the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR) unit HMS HIBERNIA in Lisburn, and the Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) Belfast Detachment of RMR Scotland.The RNR and RMR personnel establishments are not apportioned by local unit.The current strength of the Maritime Reserves' units in Northern Ireland is:HMS HIBERNIA90Belfast Detachment30Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

Air Force: Northern Ireland

Mr Jeffrey M. Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the personnel establishment is of each unit of the RAF Reserve in Northern Ireland.

Mr Julian Brazier: There is one Royal Auxiliary Air Force Squadron based in Northern Ireland, No. 502 (Ulster) Squadron. It is currently established for up to 123 personnel, 111 part-time Volunteer Reserve posts supported by a Headquarters staff of 12 Royal Auxiliary Air Force personnel.

Department for Work and Pensions

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Steve Webb: The Ministry of Justice publishes annual reports containing statistical information on Freedom of Information requests received by monitored bodies, including central Government Departments. The annual reports for the period 2010 to 2013 and the first two quarters of 2014 can be found at the following web address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics These annual reports include statistics on the number of non-routine requests received by this Department since 2010 to 30 June 2014 and include the volumes and proportions which were granted in full or withheld in full.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Steve Webb: Our recruitment records indicate that there have been 2698 appointments to DWP by exception since April 2010. The majority (2089) of these were short-term appointments (for up to a maximum of two years). The remainder included secondments, re-appointments, the recruitment of disabled individuals and nine were short-term appointments at Senior Civil Service (SCS) level. As the information constitutes sensitive personal data the Department is unable to disclose the names of the individuals recruited by exception.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Steve Webb: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by the Minister for Cabinet Office and Paymaster General to Question UIN 213040.

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 27 October 2014 to Question 211139, if he will place in the Library the administrative data (Single Housing Benefit Extract) calculation used to estimate the figure of £1 billion pounds; and what estimate he has made of the cost of exempting from the under-occupancy penalty people who would be exempt for reasons set out in sub-clauses 2(1)(a) to (c) of the Affordable Homes Bill.

Esther McVey: The calculation of the cost of about £1 billion pounds for the Affordable Homes is solely in relation to Clause 2 (1) (a), (b) and (c). This was estimated using both the administrative data (Single Housing Benefit Extract) and the department’s policy simulation model. As the estimate was made in this way, it is not possible to place the base data in the Library for this estimate.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his policy is on making receipt of universal credit by claimants in work subject to conditions; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 07 November 2014



 Under Universal Credit we are, for the first time, supporting people who are in low-paid work to increase their earnings. We are currently trialling a variety of different approaches following a public call for ideas in 2013, in order to learn what kind of support is most effective. This will inform future decisions of the types of support we might introduce nationally.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2014, Official Report, column 522, what the evidential basis is for his statement that there has been very little movement of more than about five miles from people's existing homes as a result of the benefit cap.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 07 November 2014



Latest official statistics, released 6th November, show that only 1% of households who have previously been capped and which are no longer subject to the cap have moved to a different Local Authority.

Poverty: Children

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the level of child poverty is in (a) each constituency in London, (b) London, (c) England, (d) Scotland, (e) Wales and (f) Northern Ireland.

Esther McVey: Holding answer received on 07 November 2014



Under this Government, 300,000 fewer children are in relative income poverty, around 390,000 fewer children are growing up in workless families, the attainment gap for deprived pupils has narrowed, and we have just seen the largest annual fall in unemployment on record.   Estimates of the number and proportion of children in relative low income are published in the National Statistics Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. This information is captured using the Family Resources Survey (FRS) and has been reported since 1998/99. These estimates are available for each financial year up to 2012/13, the latest period for which estimates are available.   These estimates can be found at the link below:   https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-hbai-199495-to-201213   Relevant estimates can be found in the "Supporting Data tables (Microsoft Excel files) WINZIP link. The Excel document is titled "chapter_4ts_risk_hbai14.xls".   The number and proportion of children in relative low income is not available at constituency level. This is because the survey sample sizes are too small to support the production of robust estimates at this geography.

Employment and Support Allowance

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 3 November 2014, Official Report, column 526, whether he has considered making changes to the level of employment and support allowance; how many recipients of that allowance are disabled; and how many recipients of that allowance are doing permitted work.

Mr Mark Harper: We are committed to ensuring that the support system offers those who want to work with the right opportunities to reach their potential, whilst continuing to provide appropriate financial support for those who are unable to work. The information requested on the number of Employment and Support Allowance recipients, who are disabled or doing permitted work, is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Winter Fuel Payments: British Nationals Abroad

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what representations he has received on the future of the winter fuel allowance for UK citizens living in mainland France on a state pension; and if he will make a statement.

Steve Webb: We have received correspondence relating to Winter Fuel Payments, to which we have replied. The Government intends to bring in an eligibility criterion derived from average winter temperatures with payments going only to eligible people living in EEA countries with cold climates. Legislation will need to be passed before any change can be made.

Jobclubs

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support his Department provides to volunteer-led job clubs.

Esther McVey: Start-up funding for Work Clubs is available at the discretion of the local Jobcentre Plus District Manager.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people left jobseeker's allowance because they reached the state pension age in each of the last 10 years.

Esther McVey: The information requested in respect of off-flows from Jobseeker’s Allowance by reason is published and can found at: http://www.nomisweb.co.uk/query/select/wizpopular.asp by choosing “all datasets by theme”, then “claimant off-flows – reasons, age and duration” and following the steps to select the required geography, time period and reason for ending claim. It is important to note that individuals are not required to tell Jobcentre Plus the reason for ending their claim and a significant minority of off-flows are to unknown destinations. This is likely to include some of those who left JSA because they reached state pension age.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is possible for an unemployed person refused employment and support allowance because a work capability assessment found them fit for work to be refused jobseeker's allowance on the grounds of not being fit for work; and if he will make a statement.

Esther McVey: A person found fit for work following their Work Capability Assessment may claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). They will receive a benefit so long as entitlement conditions for JSA are satisfied. These include being available for and actively seeking.

Atos Healthcare

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many cases are still being dealt with by Atos; and what transitional arrangements are in place to deal with cases previously dealt with by Atos.

Mr Mark Harper: Atos will continue to undertake all health and disability assessments including the Work Capability Assessments until 28 February 2015 when MAXIMUS Health and Human Services Ltd. will take over the contract. The Department will work closely with MAXIMUS and Atos during the transitional period to ensure a smooth and effective handover of services. The process for claimants will remain the same during transition so claimants should continue to attend their assessments.

Social Security Benefits

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his contribution of 3 November 2014, Official Report, column 522, on welfare reform (economy), what estimate he has made of the proportion of those affected by the benefit cap who have (a) moved home and (b) moved more than five miles.

Esther McVey: The latest official statistics, released 6th November, show that of those who are no longer subject to the benefit cap only 1% have moved to a different Local Authority. We have committed to a full evaluation of the benefit cap which will be published later this year.

Universal Credit

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2014 to Question 212414, by which means universal credit is calculated in cases where a claimant's circumstances change, so that the existing IT system does not have the functionality to complete the claimant's entitlement; and if he will make a statement.

Mr Mark Harper: The existing IT has functionality to process changes of circumstances in Universal Credit and the majority of changes are automatically administered through to the Universal Credit award. There are a small number of complex circumstances where an agent will record this information on the system and then the functionality will automatically apply this change to the award.

Welfare Assistance Schemes

Grahame M. Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many hon. Members have written to him to express concerns about the future funding of local welfare assistance schemes.

Steve Webb: The information requested is not available other than at disproportionate cost.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Timber: Imports

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the EU Timber Regulation in preventing the import of illegally-harvested timber; and if she will make a statement.

Dan Rogerson: The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) prevents the trade of illegally-harvested timber in the EU by laying obligation on operators who place timber and timber products on the market, and those who subsequently trade in them. It was implemented in the UK by the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations in March 2013.Independent assessments by the European Commission and WWF rank the UK’s efforts on tackling the trade in illegal timber and our domestic implementation of the EUTR as amongst the best in EU Member States.To be fully effective in keeping illegally harvested timber and timber products out of the EU all Member States need to implement the EUTR. We are working closely with the Commission and other Member States on this and have offered to share the UK’s experience with them.The review next year will provide us with an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of the EUTR.

Timber: Imports

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps she has taken with her EU counterparts to prevent shipments of illegal timber from sawmills in the Brazilian Amazon entering the European market; and if she will make a statement.

Dan Rogerson: The EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) prevents the trade of illegally-harvested timber in the EU by laying obligation on operators who place timber and timber products on the market and those who subsequently trade in them. It was implemented in the UK by the Timber and Timber Products (Placing on the Market) Regulations in March 2013. The legislation applies to all timber and timber products in scope of the regulation, including illegally-harvested timber from the Brazilian Amazon.In the UK, the National Measurement Office (NMO) is the competent authority for the EUTR. The NMO is working closely with its EU counterparts to prevent any shipments of illegal timber entering the EU market.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how many occasions her Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Dan Rogerson: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer provided today by my Rt. Hon. friend the Member for Horsham to PQs UIN 213043 and 213053.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on how many occasions her Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Dan Rogerson: The core department has made 219 appointments by exception to the Civil Service Recruitment Principles for the period 1 April 2010- 31 March 2014.This covers 66 temporary appointments, 18 secondments, 25 transfers of staff from other public bodies, 103 transferred as a consequence of TUPE and 7 conversions to permanency.The cost of identifying each individual appointed would be disproportionate and names cannot be provided as to do so would not be fair processing of personal data.

Landfill

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Environment Agency takes to ensure that landfill sites practices are in line with environmental regulations.

Dan Rogerson: Prospective landfill site operators must apply to the Environment Agency for an environmental permit under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010. The Environment Agency will assess whether proposed operations can comply with the regulations. If it is satisfied, the Environment Agency will issue a permit, which will include conditions to ensure the operator complies with relevant legislation and manages its activities so that it does not cause pollution. Permits include limits on emissions of polluting substances to the wider environment. These include emissions:• to groundwater;• of landfill gas;• that may affect amenity (e.g. noise, odour, dust, pests). To assess compliance with the permit, the Environment Agency:• routinely visits landfill sites and meets with the operator;• audits the operator’s management system and activities against the permit conditions and best practice;• responds to complaints about the landfill site and monitors impacts on local communities where necessary;• reviews and approves (or rejects) development plans;• reviews reports required by the permit including the operator’s monitoring data and records of waste accepted. The Environment Agency takes action where it identifies non-compliance with permit conditions in line with its Enforcement and Sanctions Guidance.

Landfill

Mr Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many enforcement notices have been taken out against landfill operators in the (a) UK and (b) North East of England in the last 12 months.

Dan Rogerson: The following enforcement notices have been issued to landfill operators by the Environment Agency since 1 November last year: (a) England 40(b) North East England 7 The regulation of waste is a devolved matter. Defra does not hold data on enforcement notices issued in respect to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Floods

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Repair and Renew grant scheme.

Dan Rogerson: We are working closely with local authorities, with support from the Environment Agency, to ensure the effective delivery and deliver the maximum benefit for the ‘Repair and Renew’ grant. We are aware of a number of collaborative applications that will have multiple beneficiaries. These demonstrate particularly effective use of the grant.The scheme is still running. All local authorities must claim reimbursement for grant payments from Defra by 31 March 2015. After then we will be better placed to assess the effectiveness of the scheme.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Mr Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when the replacement of the Rural Development Programme for England's Farming and Forestry Improvement Scheme will be announced; and when funding applications will be invited.

Dan Rogerson: We will provide further information before the end of December on the new scheme that we plan to open in 2015 to help farming and forestry businesses become more productive.

Home Office

Prisoners: Repatriation

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many foreign national prisoners were removed from the UK in each year between 2000 and 2006.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 23 October 2014



The Home Office did not have an automated system to record the number of foreign national offenders (FNOs) before 2006. As a result we are unable to provide data for the number of FNOs who were removed between 2000 and 2006. Since 2010, this Government has removed 22,000 FNOs. The Immigration Act 2014 will have a significant impact on the ability of FNOs to delay removal by mounting legal challenges whilst in the UK. We have reduced the number of appeal rights for foreign criminals from 17 to 4, and set out clearly in primary legislation the right balance on the right to a family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights to prevent individuals from playing the system. This means that appeals can only be brought where the Home Office has refused a protection (asylum or humanitarian protection) claim, a human rights claim or a claim based on EU free movement rights.

Offences against Children: Internet

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been identified as part of Operation Notarise; how many IP addresses have been linked to named people during that operation; and how many such people have been checked against (a) the Department for Work and Pensions database and (b) the Disclosure and Barring Service list of those working in regulated activity.

Karen Bradley: Operation NOTARISE is an ongoing NCA-led, UK-wide operation which is identifying and taking law enforcement action against individuals viewing indecent images of children. Activity in Operation NOTARISE was prioritised according to how much risk the individuals presented, including checking the appropriate databases. Those with access to children have been given the highest priority. As of 23 October, 704 people have been arrested, 133 children protected and 324 children safeguarded. It would not be appropriate to share any furtherdetails of operational procedures.

Passports

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment her Department made of the number of application rejections made by the New Zealand government's digital passport application system before deciding to undertake a trial of a similar system; and what information her Department holds on the number of such rejections.

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when her Department last met members of the Photo Marketing Association to discuss plans to allow digital pictures to be used in passport applications; and if she will make a statement.

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department plans to take to secure professional photographic industry support and agreement for any proposals to collect digital ID photographs for use in future passport applications.

Sir Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans her Department has to improve security measures for ID photographs for passport applications.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 30 October 2014



HM Passport Office (HMPO) has a long-standing and productive relationship with the New Zealand Passport Office and meets on a regular basis. HMPO recognise the challenges with getting photos to meet the required international Civil Aviation Organisation security standards and, in addition to working with the New Zealand Passport Office, we have been running user testing sessions to improve the quality of the service. HMPO will ensure any new service is tested extensively before any public launch.HMPO has regular meetings with representatives from the Photo Marketing Association (PMA); the last meeting was on 23 October 2014. The meetings focus on sharing our plans and to discuss options for providing customers with an appropriate service in the digital age. HMPO will continue to engage with the PMA and through them with the photographic industry to share information about current plans for digital services. The integrity and security of our passport issuance process is at the heart of HMPO's business model. We are fully committed to our public protection agenda and this extends to all aspects of the application process, across all channels.

Mediterranean Sea

Mr Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what discussions she has had with her counterparts in Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia on the decision to end funding for search and rescue missions for migrants in danger of drowning in the Mediterranean; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to support countries of origin and transit in North Africa to assist them to prevent migrants from attempting dangerous sea crossings to travel to Europe; and if she will make a statement.

Mr Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what support she is providing to countries of origin and transit in North Africa to tackle smugglers and criminal gangs who transport migrants across the Mediterranean; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



The Government supports the conclusions on the response to migration pressures in the Mediterranean, unanimously adopted at the JHA Council meeting on 9-10 October under the Italian Presidency, which included proposals to strengthen cooperation with transit countries in North Africa whilst phasing out the currentemergency search and rescue operations carried out by Italy. We are supporting EU proposals for enhanced refugee protection in North and East Africa, building on our current support for those seeking protection in the region of Syria. We have joined a steering group for a new EU project in the Horn of Africa which will develop, implement and resource concrete actions to address human trafficking in the region. The UK is also among those Member States offering the greatest numbers of resettlement places for refugees from outside the EU, working closely with UNHCR (over 4,000 between 2008-2013). We recognise that there are some particularly vulnerable Syrian refugees who cannot be supported effectively in the region. We have therefore launched our UK Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme. We have also contributed £700 million to the Syria relief effort so far making the UK the second largest bilateral donor after the USA.

Terrorism: Republic of Ireland

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people (a) suspected of and (b) charged with terrorism-related offences were extradited to the UK from the Republic of Ireland in each of the last 30 years.

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people (a) suspected of and (b) charged with terrorism offences have been surrendered by the Republic of Ireland to the UK in each of the last 30 years.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



Data is available between 1973 and 1999. It has not been possible to differentiate between terrorism and terrorist-related offences. Eight people in total were extradited to the UK from the Republic of Ireland for terrorism offences during this period and using the previous extradition arrangement. However, during this period the UK made 110 extradition requests to the Republic of Ireland in relation to terrorist offences, meaning that less than 10% of UK requests were successful during this period. Extradited to the UKPrincipal offenceRepublic of IrelandTerrorism19730197401975019761197711978019790198001981019820198311984119850198611987219880198901990019910199201993019941199501996019970Total8  No reliable data is held between 1998 and 2008. Since April 2009 three people have been surrendered to the UK from the Republic of Ireland in connection with terrorist and terrorism-related offences. Patrick Gordon was arrested in Ireland in May 2013 and was surrendered to the UK in May 2014. He is charged with possessing documents containing information of a kind likely to be used by terrorists - bomb making recipes to produce napalm type weapons. Liam Rainey was surrendered to the UK in 2011. He has been convicted of kidnapping a well-known republican in Belfast. Ryan McKenna was arrested in Ireland in September 2013 and was surrendered to the UK in February 2014. He was charged with conspiracy to cause explosions and possessing explosives. Along with four individuals he was accused of trying to bomb a railway line using an IED and a home-made mortar. He was subsequently acquitted of all charges on 1 October 2014. Although not yet surrendered, Adam Busby, the founder of the Scottish National Liberation Army, has been arrested in Ireland subject to a UK issued Arrest Warrant in relation to terrorism-related offences. He is wanted in connection with hoax bomb warnings and poisoning threats against well known political figures, including the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The Irish Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, made clear in a letter dated 4 September 2014 to the Home Secretary and Justice Secretary that should the UK fail to opt in to the package of 35 criminal justice measures on 1 December 2014, there is no guarantee that the Irish courts would preserve the validity of outstanding Arrest Warrants. Consequently, Adam Busby could walk free if the UK does not rejoin the Arrest Warrant. We are not aware of any UK requests to Ireland for terrorist and terrorism-related offences being refused. In an article for the Irish Independent on 6 November the Irish Justice Minister noted that the, ‘…Arrest Warrant, in particular, had greatly assisted our mutual efforts to fight cross-border crime and to bring serious criminals, including terrorist, to justice’. Between 2010 and 2013 Ireland surrendered 88 people to the UK to face justice. This includes:· Four for murder;· Two for rape;· 17 for child sex offences;· One for kidnapping;· Two for armed robbery; and· 11 for Grievous Bodily Harm During this same period the UK (excluding Scotland) surrendered 114 people to Ireland, including for offences of murder, rape and child sex offences. Although extradition to and from Ireland was previously covered by the Backing of Warrants scheme, if the UK were not to rejoin the Arrest Warrant it would rely on the 1957European Convention on Extradition (ECE) in its relations with Ireland and all other EU member states. The Arrest Warrant offers the UK distinct advantages over the ECE. Firstly, the process of extradition under the Arrest Warrant is quicker and cheaper than under the ECE. It takes approximately three months to surrender someone using an Arrest Warrant, however, it takes ten months on average using the ECE. On average it costs £13,000 to extradite someone using the EAW, and £62,000 using the ECE. This means that it would have cost the UK more than £5.5m more to extradite the same number of people to Ireland between 2010 and 2013. Secondly, under the ECE certain countries can refuse to extradite their own nationals. This is not possible under the Arrest Warrant. Thirdly, under the ECE, extradition can also be refused due to the length of time that has passed since the offence was committed. Again this is not possible under the Arrest Warrant. Fourthly, Article 3 of the ECE allows refusals for ‘political offences’. It would be possible for terrorists to argue that their activities fell within the scope of this ground for refusal.

Frontex

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what her policy is towards making a contribution to Operation Triton; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



Operation Triton is run by the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex). The UK can support Frontex operations in an advisory capacity only, as we are not participants of the Frontex Regulation. Frontex sent out an open call to Member States to support Operation Triton for the months of November and December. The UK has initially agreed to deploy a Border Force Officer to carry out advisory and debriefing work in support of the operation during November. We are keeping the situation under review.

Arrest Warrants: Republic of Ireland

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when the last European Arrest Warrant was issued by the UK to the Republic of Ireland in relation to an offence or offences related to terrorism.

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many European Arrest Warrants issued by the UK to the Republic of Ireland for terrorism-related offences remain outstanding.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 03 November 2014



The most recent Arrest Warrant issued by the UK to Ireland for terrorism-related offences was on 29 August 2013, with the subject surrendered in February 2014. There are currently two outstanding Arrest Warrants for terrorism-related offences that were issued by the UK to Ireland.The Government of Ireland made clear in a letter dated 4 September 2014 from the Irish Justice Minister to the Home Secretary that should the UK fail to opt in to the package of 35 criminal justice measures on 1 December 2014, there is no guarantee that the Irish courts would preserve the validity of outstanding Arrest Warrants.

Temporary Employment

Katy Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what regulatory safeguards are in place to protect agency workers from trafficking; if she will review the effectiveness of those safeguards; and if she will make a statement.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



The Government is committed to stamping out modern slavery in all its forms including labour exploitation involving agency workers. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority’s transfer to the Home Office will improve its collaboration with policing agencies for its enforcement activities and maximise the contribution it makes to tackling exploitation of workers.The Modern Slavery Bill will give law enforcement the tools to tackle modern slavery by increasing the maximum sentence available for offenders to life imprisonment; creating an independent Anti-slavery Commissioner to drive improvements and a better coordinated law enforcement response, working in the interests of victims; strengthening powers to recover the sizeable profits that traffickers and slave masters make from this appalling crime; introducing vital new tools to restrict the activity of criminals who have been convicted of modern slavery offences; and providing powers to enable police and Border Force to act where it is suspected that human trafficking or forced labour is taking place on board vessels at sea.To complement the Bill, the Government has a comprehensive programme of action to tackle modern slavery. This includes publishing a Modern Slavery Strategy which sets out the Government’s comprehensive approach to tackling modern slavery and the contributions we expect from other Government departments, agencies and partners.

Human Trafficking

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what training is being offered to local authorities on making referrals to the National Referral Mechanism for victims of human trafficking; and how many local authorities have undertaken such training to date.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



In 2013, three Non-Government Organisations were awarded total grant funding of approximately £75,000 by the Home Office to provide training to a range of local professionals, including those working in local authorities. In January 2013 the Home Office also published guidance for frontline staff on responding to victims of trafficking, which includes guidance on making referrals to the National Referral Mechanism.Home Office funding of £420,000 is being provided to Barnardo’s to fund independent child advocacy service trials for a period of twelve months, September 2014 to September 2015, in 23 local authorities.The Review of the National Referral Mechanism has considered training and will make recommendations when it reports shortly.

Extradition

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the average time in each of the other EU Member States between a decision to try a British national who is wanted for extradition or has been extradited for the alleged offence that is the subject of that decision and the trial for that alleged offence (a) commencing and (b) concluding.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what forecast she has made of the proportion of extraditions of (a) British nationals and (b) other persons sought from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant in which a decision to charge or try the wanted person will require that person's presence in the country seeking their extradition after the Police and Criminal Justice Act.

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what evidence her Department holds on extraditions of British nationals from the UK that took place over the period April 2009 to April 2014 under the European Arrest Warrant which led to the bringing into force of section 12A of the Extradition Act 2003.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



The reforms this Government made to the Arrest Warrant in the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 address the concerns of Parliament and others regarding lengthy pre-trial detention in other Member States following surrender using the Arrest Warrant (such as in the case of Andrew Symeou). The Home Secretary directly acknowledged those concerns in her statement to Parliament of 16 October 2012 when she said the "Arrest Warrant has had some success in streamlining the extradition process within the EU, but there have also been problems there are issues around the lengthy pre-trial detention of some British citizens overseas." (Official Report, Col 164, 16 October 2012).Section 12A of the Extradition Act 2003, which was introduced by the 2014 Act, was developed with those concerns and the case of Andrew Symeou in mind. This is witnessed by what the Home Secretary said to Parliament on 9 July 2013: "The change that I am introducing would have allowed Andrew Symeou to raise, in his extradition hearing, the issue of whether a decision to charge him and a decision to try him had been taken. It would likely have prevented his extradition at the stage he was surrendered and, quite possibly, altogether." (Official Report, Col 177, 9 July 2013)The Government also looked closely at the manner in which Ireland had dealt with the issue of lengthily pre-trial detention, considering their ‘charge and try’ provision and the extent to which it has had an impact on Arrest Warrant cases (for instance, as shown by the judgment in Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform v Bailey (21 March 2012).In framing the section, the Government also recognised that the legal systems of some other Member States (e.g. Sweden) require that the person be present in the jurisdiction in order for the decisions to charge and try to be taken. Full consideration was given to this position, with section 12A being clear that in cases where the decisions have not been taken, the person’s absence from the issuing State must be the sole reason for that failure if extradition is to take place. In all cases, if the issuing State is not trial-ready then extradition cannot take place.

Human Trafficking

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information is provided to trafficking victims on their rights to compensation; and how many victims of trafficking have had applications for compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority rejected in each of the last three years.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



Potential victims of trafficking are provided support and assistance by the Salvation Army during their recovery and reflection period, including advice on their rights to compensation. This includes providing the information leaflet developed specifically for victims of trafficking by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The Modern Slavery Bill will also introduce reparation orders, specifically for victims of modern slavery crimes, recognising the particular harm and psychological abuse they suffer. This will ensure that where a convicted slave master has benefitted financially from the abuse of others they will be required to provide reparation to their victims.With reference to the number of compensation applications rejected by CICA, the Government does not hold the information requested. Compensation for victims of violent crime is based on the injuries people sustain not the particular crimes of which they were a victim. The injuries for which CICA can compensate, and therefore provide reliable figures for, are set out in the Tariff of Injuries in the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme 2012, but the Tariff does not contain any injuries specific to human trafficking. The injuries are also only recorded once CICA have assessed someone as eligible to receive the compensation payable for that injury.

Human Trafficking

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many National Referral Mechanism decisions made by (a) the Human Trafficking Centre and (b) UK Visas and Immigration were subject to judicial review proceedings in (i) 2012 and (ii) 2013; and how many such decisions were changed as a result of successful judicial review proceedings.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 04 November 2014



UK Visas and Immigration received 11 judicial review proceedings in 2012, and 7 in 2013. We have not validated how many decisions were changed as a result of successful judicial review proceedings, as the cost for finding out this information would be disproportionate.Both UKHTC and UKVI apply the same civil standard of proof in making their decisions, but the types of cases dealt with by UKHTC and UKVI are very different. UKHTC often deals with EEA nationals encountered in their place of exploitation with substantial contemporary evidence to support their decision making. UKVI often deals with non-EEA nationals where the alleged trafficking and exploitation took place some time ago, sometimes in another country.

Schengen Agreement

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 23 September 2014 to Question 207075, on what legal basis Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have access to the False and Authentic Documents Online database through their participation in the Schengen acquis.

Karen Bradley: False and Authentic Documents Online (FADO) is a measure building on the Schengen acquis. Switzerland and Liechtenstein participate by virtue of the 2008 Agreement between the European Union, the European Community and the Swiss Confederation on the Swiss Confederation's association with theimplementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis, and the subsequent Protocol on the accession of the Principality of Liechtensteinto that Agreement.The participation of Norway and Iceland stems from the 1999 Agreement concluded by the Council of the European Union, the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Norway on the association of these two states with the implementation, application and development of the Schengen acquis.

Arrest Warrants

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many European Arrest Warrant applications have been granted for extradition (a) from the UK and (b) to the UK for each type of offence in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: From 2010 until 2013 the following numbers of Arrest Warrants, broken down by offence, have been issued to other Member States:   Table 1Arrest Warrant requests to other Member States, by offence2010201120122013TotalAggravated Burglary00000Armed Robbery9112123Arms Trafficking12003Arson11002Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm00011Assault On Police00011Blank01001Burglary00000Child Sex Offences32262824110Counterfeiting21317Death By Dangerous Driving00000Drugs Offences00044Drugs Trafficking59373946181Evasion Of Duty - Over £100,00000011Fraud49374214142Fraud - Over £100,00000033Fraud - Under £100,00000000Grievous Bodily Harm1219181463Human Trafficking00033Immigration & Human Trafficking1159833Kidnapping363416Money Laundering264416Murder1518331076Murder/Manslaughter00044Other32215338144Perverting The Course Of Justice00000Possession Of A Firearm00011Rape1414181965Robbery8310728Terrorism00145Theft1288634Theft - Over £100,00000000Theft - Under £100,00000011Total252226271219968   From 2010 until 2013 the following numbers of Arrest Warrants, broken down by offence, have been issued by other Member States and received and certified by the National Crime Agency:   Table 2   Arrest Warrant requests received from other Member States and certified by the National Crime Agency, by offence2010201120122013TotalAffray00011Aggravated Burglary000111111Armed Robbery1103543862531,103Arms Trafficking62621962Arson1214161456Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm0009999Assault on Police00088Blackmail/Extortion00022Burglary0007070Child Sex Offences8511416574438Common Assault00077Counterfeit Currency - High volume/value00011Counterfeit Currency - minimal quantity/value0001515Counterfeit Goods00077Counterfeiting241824268Criminal Damage - over £500000000Criminal Damage - under £500000099Death by Dangerous driving00088Driving Whilst Disqualified0003838Drugs Offences000213213Drugs Trafficking4551,4091,0736453,582E-Crime224816Evasion of Duty - over £100,0000001414Evasion of Duty - under £100,0000003434Excess Alcohol/Drugs00077Forgery - Not Currency0005656Fraud1,0048186032822,707Fraud - over £100,000000150150Fraud - under £100,000000515515Going Equipped to Steal00044Grievous Bodily Harm2185947024031,917Gross Indecency with a Child00000Human Trafficking0003535Immigration & Human Trafficking1404053611641,070Kidnapping4616014554405Living off Immoral Earnings00000Making Threats to Kill0002020Money Laundering31223230115Murder1973944151191,125Murder/Manslaughter0009999Organised Crime0003737Other6468001,0375483,031Parental Abduction0005050Perverting the Course of justice00011Possession of a Firearm00044Possession of Drugs for Personal Use00011Public Order0001111Racism & Xenophobia00134Racism and Xenophobia00011Rape123189233101646Robbery3583953452231,321Robbery (Serious/Organised)00033Serious Assault/Grievous Bodily Harm0001616Serious Sexual Assault00066Sexual Exploitation0002121Terrorism72445539210Theft8297496703342,582Theft - over £100,0000002626Theft - under £100,000000494494War Crimes11522341Total4,3696,5126,2905,52222,693

Sick Leave

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many days have been lost to long-term sick leave (a) in total and (b) for reasons related to mental health in each police force in each of the last three years.

Mike Penning: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The Home Office is currently undertaking work to improve the quality of statistics on the number of contracted hours lost to sickness absence. We will write to the MP with the confirmed data when this work is complete. A copy of this letter will be placed in the House Library.The Home Office does not collect breakdowns of this data by reason for sickness absence.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British nationals were extradited from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant to each other EU member state in each of the last five years; what allegations or offences each such person was extradited for; whether each such person was convicted of that extradition offence; if they were extradited for prosecution; and what sentences were imposed upon each.

Karen Bradley: Between the start of the 2009-2010 business year and 31 March 2014 the UK has extradited a total of 217 British nationals under the Arrest Warrant. This represents 4.3% of the 5072 people surrendered during this period.The attached table breaks down by country surrender to, offence and business year.Due to the way in which the National Crime Agency holds the data it has not been possible to break down this data by whether the Arrest Warrant was issued in an accusation or conviction case. Data on sentences imposed is not routinely provided by other Member States.



Extradited British nationals - Arrest Warrant
(Word Document, 23.95 KB)

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is permissible for the UK under Article 6 of the European Convention on Extradition to refuse to extradite British nationals in certain cases rather than to impose a blanket refusal to extradite any British national.

Karen Bradley: Article 6 of the European Convention on Extradition allows Contracting Parties to refuse to extradite their nationals (in any circumstances).It is already the case that the UK does not extradite British nationals in some cases where the tests in the Extradition Act 2003 are not met or where a statutory bar to extradition applies. British nationals are extradited in other cases, where the tests in the Act are met and the statutory bars to extradition do not apply.

Hassan Haydari

Sir Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when Hassan Haydari, previously detained at HMP Bullingdon, was deported.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The Home Office does not comment on individual cases.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many British nationals were extradited from the UK to each other state party to the European Convention on Extradition under that Convention in each of the last five years; what allegations or offences each such person was extradited for; whether each such person was convicted of the extradition offence; if they were extradited for prosecution; and what sentences were imposed upon each.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The nationality of a person who is the subject of an extradition request was not centrally recorded until 2010. The table below sets out numbers of British nationals extradited under the European Convention for each calendar year since then, along with the offence for which each person’s extradition was requested, and whether they were accused or convicted of the offence prior to the request being made. The Home Office is not routinely informed what sentence was imposed upon a person if extradited for prosecution. The extradition to Spain mentioned below is included because the initial request for extradition was received prior to the entry into force of the European Arrest Warrant on 1 January 2004. It took many years to conclude andhighlights the slow pace of extradition under this system as compared with the European Arrest Warrant.   



Extradition
(Word Document, 32 KB)

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of extraditions of (a) British nationals and (b) other persons sought from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant were barred for reason of incompatibility with Convention rights in each of the last five years.

Karen Bradley: Information on the reasons why Arrest Warrants have been refused by the courts, including on Human Rights grounds, is not held centrally.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) British nationals and (b) other persons were extradited from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant for conduct that took place in whole or part within the UK but was not a crime under the law of the relevant part of the UK in each of the last five years; and under which provisions of sections 64 or 65 of the Extradition Act 2003 prior to its amendment by the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 such extraditions took place.

Karen Bradley: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



This information cannot be obtained from National Crime Agency (NCA) records and there is no known example of any person being extradited from the UK under an Arrest Warrant for conduct that took place in whole or part within the UK but which was not a crime under the law of the relevant part of the UK. The amendments to sections 64 and 65 of the Extradition Act 2003 clarified that in all cases where all or part of the conduct for which surrender is sought took place in the UK, that conduct must be criminalised in the UK for surrender to be permissible. Where that is not the case the individuals will not be surrendered. Since the reforms came into force, and up to 31 October, the NCA has refused to certify 38 Arrest Warrants on the basis that they would obviously have to be refused by a court for a failure to meet the requirement of dual criminality.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, on what grounds in EU law the UK may refuse to execute a European Arrest Warrant under the provisions of (a) section 13, (b) section 14 and (c) section 25 of the Extradition Act 2003.

Karen Bradley: A UK judge may refuse to execute an Arrest Warrant on the basis of section 13, 14 or 25 of the 2003 Act by virtue of Article 1(3) of EU Council Framework Decision 2002/584/JHA, which is very clear that the Decision shall not have the effect of modifying the obligation to respect fundamental rights and fundamental legal principles as enshrined in Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union. In addition, the recitals to the Decision set out at that "Nothing in this Framework Decision may be interpreted as prohibiting refusal to surrender a person for whom a European arrest warrant has been issued when there are reasons to believe, on the basis of objective elements, that the said arrest warrant has been issued for the purpose of prosecuting or punishing a person on the grounds of his or her sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, language, political opinions or sexual orientation, or that that person's position may be prejudiced for any of these reasons."

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what forecast she has made of the likely proportion of extraditions sought from the UK under a European Arrest Warrant of (a) British nationals and (b) other persons that will be barred under (i) section 12A and (ii) the proportionality test in section 21A of the Extradition Act 2003 as amended, in each of the next three years.

Karen Bradley: Between the date on which the Government's reforms to the Arrest Warrant came into force (21 July 2014) and 31 October 2014, the National Crime Agency (NCA) refused to certify 21 Arrest Warrants on proportionality grounds. In addition to this, the courts have discharged one case on the basis of the new proportionality test in section 21A of the 2003 Act.No Arrest Warrants have been discharged by the courts on charge and try grounds in this three-month period, but we expect that position will change as the legislation now provides for a UK judge to refuse extradition where issuing State is not trial-ready.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is permissible for the UK under (a) the European Convention on Extradition and (b) that Convention's additional Protocols that have been ratified by the UK to require satisfactory prima facie evidence of an alleged offence before extraditing a person for that offence.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The prima facie evidence requirement for extradition requests from States which are parties to the European Convention on Extradition was removed when the Convention came into force in the UK in May 1991. Article 26 of the Convention states that any Contracting Party may make a reservation in respect of any provision(s) of the Convention "when signing the ECE or when depositing its instrument of ratification or accession". The UK did not enter a reservation as regards Article 12, which concerns the extradition request and supporting documents, when it signed the Convention or deposited its instrument of ratification.In addition, the Fourth Additional Protocol to the Convention, which the UK signed and ratified earlier this year, replaces the original Article 12 with a new version. Article 13 of the Protocol does not allow for any reservations to be entered in respect of most of the provisions of the Protocol (including the provision which inserts the new Article 12 into the Convention). In any event, any reservation requiring Convention States to produce prima facie evidence would run counter to the purpose of the Convention, to improve judicial co-operation and bring fugitives to justice.

Arrest Warrants

Jacob Rees-Mogg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of extraditions of (a) British nationals and (b) other persons sought from the UK under the European Convention on Extradition and its additional Protocols were blocked for reason of incompatibility with Convention rights in each of the last five years.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The nationality of a person who is the subject of an extradition request was not centrally recorded until 2010.The table below gives figures for the numbers of requests made under the European Convention on Extradition which were discharged by the District Judge under section 87 of the Extradition Act 2003 (which requires the District Judge to discharge a person if extradition would breach their human rights) , or on appeal by the High Court on human rights grounds. The nationality is given according to the information held by the Home Office.  YearTotal extraditions from UK to ECE StatesRequests from ECE States discharged under s.87 of the 2003 Act or on appeal on human rights groundsNumber of British nationals discharged under s.87 or on human rights grounds201091 2011151 2012123120131191

Exclusion Orders: Russia

Stephen Barclay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many of the 18 people affected by the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012, named by the US administration in April 2013, are banned from entering the UK.

James Brokenshire: Holding answer received on 06 November 2014



The Government considers the case of Sergei Magnitsky a human rights case of utmost concern. The Government has long made its concerns clear on this case and called for a full and transparent investigation into the death of Sergei Magnitsky.The Home Office does not routinely comment on individual immigration cases. The Immigration Rules allow us to deny entry to those whose presence in this country is not considered to be conducive to the public good, such as human rights abusers and the Home Secretary has the power to personally exclude an individual from the UK. These powers are used when justified and based on all the available evidence depending on the individual circumstances of the case.

Members: Correspondence

Sir Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when she intends to reply to the letter to the Immigration and Security Minister dated 22 September 2014 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr Joseph Ola Coker.

James Brokenshire: I wrote to the Rt. Hon. Member on 15 October 2014.

National Crime Agency

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people are employed in the National Crime Agency in (a) England, (b) Scotland and (c) Wales.

Karen Bradley: The National Crime Agency (NCA) currently employs around 4,500 Officers, all of whom can be deployed across the United Kingdom. Serious and organised criminals are not deterred by geographical boundaries. As such, this level of flexibility enables the NCA to respond to serious andorganised crime wherever it occurs, whilst respecting the devolution of powers and recognising the primacy of those in whose territories it operates.

Cycling: Public Footpaths

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will place in the Library the guidance her Department issues to police officers about cyclists riding on footpaths; what recent discussions she has had with the police about that issue; and if she will make a statement.

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent representations she has received from (a) members of the public and (b) hon. Members about the enforcement of the law against cyclists using the footpath; and if she will make a statement.

Mike Penning: The department receives correspondence from MPs and members of the public about the police enforcement of the offence of cycling on the footpath. The Home Office has issued no formal guidance or instructions to the police on this offence. The enforcement of this offence is an operational matter for the police, as determined locally and based on local priorities.

Policy

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she is taking to strengthen evidence-based policy-making in her Department; and what recent assessment she has made of the performance of evidence-based policies implemented by her Department since May 2010.

Karen Bradley: The Home Office recognises the importance of ensuring policies are supported by a strong evidence-base and are subject to rigorous assessment. As with all government departments, our responsibility for evidenced policy making is set out in ‘The Green Book – Appraisal and Evaluation in Central Government’ published by HM Treasury.Recognising that there is always room for improvement, we are in the process of implementing a Home Office-wide Impact Assessment Improvement Plan to ensure impact assessments provide a robust appraisal of evidence and options.The Home Secretary recently announced the establishment of a Crime and Policing Knowledge Hub in the Home Office. One of the Hub's roles is to develop a better understanding of crime trends and crime drivers, to inform more effective crime prevention policies.The College of Policing has been set up to act as the professional body for policing and one of its five core areas of responsibility, set out in statute, is identifying, developing and promoting good practice based on evidence. The College’s role is to seek out best practice, supported by firmly-established evidence, and to ensure officers adopt it. In addition, the College of Policing hosts the What Works Centre for Crime Reduction, one of a national network of six – including health, education, ageing, local growth and early intervention. The Centre is developing an extensive outreach programme to support evidence based decision making across crime reduction. Outreach activities include master classes, research fairs, Evidence Base Camp (engaging practitioners in evidence review) and establishing a network of evidence ‘champions’.

Arrest Warrants

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many European Arrest Warrant requests levied against British citizens have been refused in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14.

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what proportion of European Arrest Warrant requests made against UK citizens by other countries were refused in (a) 2011-12, (b) 2012-13 and (c) 2013-14.

Karen Bradley: In the financial year 2013-14, ten Arrest Warrants from Member States for British nationals were refused by the courts in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Information is not held for the financial years 2011-12 and 2012-13.Financial year 2013-14 Final court decisions on Arrest Warrants issued by Member States for the surrender of British Nationals46Arrest Warrants for British nationals that were refused by the court10Arrest Warrant for British nationals refused as a proportion of total of final court decisions.22%Of the total number of surrenders from England, Wales and Northern Ireland between April 2009 and March 2014, over 95% (4,855 of 5,072) of people surrendered were foreign nationals and just over 4.3% (217 of 5,072) were British nationals. By way of comparison, in non-Arrest Warrant cases over a similar period 40% of those extradited have been British nationals.

Cybercrime

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what effect project Disputed has had on the (a) Shylock malware variant and (b) theft of online banking credentials.

Karen Bradley: NCA Project DISPUTED is led by its National Cyber Crime Unit (NCCU). As a direct result of the NCA’s coordinated international day of action, involving law enforcement and industry partners, the infrastructure for the Shylock malware variant has been almost totally dismantled. The theft of online banking credentials as a result of Shylock has significantly reduced. Based on industry figures, it is estimated that funds in excess of £100 million were safeguarded against theft as a result of Project DISPUTED.

Cybercrime

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, where National Crime Agency international liaison officers have been deployed.

Karen Bradley: The National Crime Agency (NCA ) has a network of around 140 International Liaison Officers (ILOs) which covers over 100 countries. For operational security reasons, the NCA does not disclose those countries in which NCALiaison Officers are based, or indeed those where they are not.

Business: Cybercrime

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps the Government has taken to encourage awareness of cyber-crime in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Karen Bradley: The Government is committed to helping businesses protect themselves against cyber-crime.Cyber Streetwise is the Government’s national campaign to increase online security by encouraging SMEs and members of the public to take simple actions to protect themselves and their information online as they would do in ‘real life’. Cyber Streetwise first launched in January 2014 and is funded by the Government’s National Cyber Security Programme. Following its initial success, Phase 2 of the campaign launched last month with a newly designed website, and further content for SMEs.The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has delivered a range of products, including publishing a range of good practice cyber security guidance aimed at businesses of all sizes, and launched the industry approved "Cyber Essentials" scheme which enables businesses to implement a good basic level of cyber security.In addition, the Cyber Security Information Sharing Partnership (CISP) is part of CERT-UK (Computer Emergency Response Team), the UK's national Computer Emergency Response Team, and provides a secure platform for businesses to share information and intelligence on cyber security threats.

Welsh Language

Mr Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what recent assessment she has made of the need to provide access to her Department's services in Welsh.

James Brokenshire: This Government is fully committed to the Welsh language and to providing Government services in the Welsh language where there is demand for them. Since September 2009, the Home Office has adopted a Welsh language scheme which applies to Home Office headquarters and the Home Office’s non-departmental bodies that do not have their own schemes. The Home Office produces an annual report detailing progress against the targets outlined in the Welsh language scheme, which is then submitted to the Welsh Language Commissioner (WLC) for comment.The Commissioner’s response to the monitoring reports can be found on the WLC website www.comisiynyddygymraeg.org

Arrest Warrants

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many UK citizens were subject to a European arrest warrant in 2013-14.

Karen Bradley: In 2013-14, the National Crime Agency received 7,881 arrest warrants from other EU Member States, of which 132 (or 1.67%) were issued in respect of UK nationals.

Drugs: Misuse

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans she has to ban the use of new psychoactive substances; and whether a timetable has been agreed for implemention of that ban.

Lynne Featherstone: Holding answer received on 10 November 2014



The Government published its response to the report of the new psychoactive substances review expert panel on 30 October. The Government accepted the panel’s recommendation to develop proposals for a blanket ban on the sale of new psychoactive substances and to control synthetic cannabinoids under the Misuse of Drugs Act on the basis of their effects on the brain. The panel makes it very clear that these provisions require consideration and a number of risks need to be carefully managed. The Government has already initiated statutory consultation with the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs on the proposals relating to synthetic cannabinoids and will consider its advice carefully before legislating. Work has begun to develop proposals for a blanket ban on the sale of new psychoactive substances. We will set out further detail on these proposals in due course.

Terrorism

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted under Paragraph 12 of Schedule 7 the Terrorism Act 2000 in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: It is not possible to be arrested, prosecuted and convicted under paragraph 12 of Schedule 7 to the Terrorism Act 2000. Paragraph 12 requires a ship or aircraft to call at and leave from a designated port in the UK. Any prosecutions for failing to comply with Paragraph 12 come under Paragraph 18 of Schedule 7.

Convictions

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people have been (a) arrested, (b) prosecuted and (c) convicted under section 35 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: The information requested is not held centrally.

Mobile Phones

Helen Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will publish her recent correspondence with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport of the mobile phone network and the consultation on tackling partial not.spots in mobile phone coverage.

James Brokenshire: The Government does not routinely publish inter-Ministerial correspondence.

Police: Disciplinary Proceedings

Sir Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many police officers in each force, are suspended and unavailable for duty as a result of the 63 active independent investigations currently being undertaken by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and which have taken more than 11 months.

Mike Penning: The suspension of police officers is a matter for individual police forces. Information about the numbers suspended is not kept centrally or by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Arrest Warrants

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many people were extradited to the UK under a European arrest warrant in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13, (e) 2013-14 and (f) since April 2014; and from which EU member states they were extradited.

Karen Bradley: The below table shows the number of people surrendered to the UK (excluding Scotland) from EU member states and Gibraltar from 2009-10 to 2013-14. Validated figures from April 2014 are not yet available. Part 3 Surrenders2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14TotalBelgium1234313Bulgaria  1225Cyprus3132110Czech Republic 242 8Denmark  2 24Estonia 13 15Finland 1 1 2France1014109750Germany5465929Gibraltar 14218Greece2 1 36Hungary11  24Ireland2422202422112Italy1226516Latvia   213Lithuania 35 412Malta1221 6Netherlands2325281517108Poland7476630Portugal2224313Romania2444115Romania Former Code11Slovakia  1315Spain2738343148178Sweden112  4Total110130144123140647

Arrest Warrants

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many (a) people and (b) UK nationals were extradited from the UK under a European arrest warrant in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13, (v) 2013-14 and (vi) since April 2014; and to which EU member states they were extradited.

Karen Bradley: The below table shows the number of (a) people and (b) UK nationals extradited from the UK using the Arrest Warrant, broken down by financial year. Validated figures from April 2014 are not yet available.  2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14People extradited from the UK (excluding Scotland) under an EAW 7721,1001,0761,0571,067UK nationals extradited from the UK (excluding Scotland) under an EAW4849414336 The table below show the Member States to which people were surrendered, broken down by financial year. It is not possible to distinguish between UK nationals and others as a result of the way the information is recorded by the National Crime Agency. Validated figures from April 2014 are not yet available. Part 1 Surrenders2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14 TotalAustria2 1216Belgium510139643Bulgaria1172617Cyprus5142113Czech Republic4649724639252Denmark11Estonia73 3114Finland122218France201016101177Germany2326212027117Greece1811112Hungary1329282930129Ireland2319363132141Italy1113712447Latvia1534415843191Lithuania7391998867418Luxembourg1 1 13Malta1245113Netherlands181715151580Poland4517086186276403,044Portugal3775628Romania2334384879222Slovakia81724202695Slovenia1 1226Spain141613131874Sweden6377831Total7721,1001,0761,0571,0675,082

Arrest Warrants

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many requests for the surrender of an individual under a European arrest warrant were received by the Serious Organised Crime Agency from each EU member state in (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12, (d) 2012-13, (e) 2013-14 and (f) since April 2014.

Karen Bradley: The Serious Organised Crime Agency was replaced by the National Crime Agency on 7 October 2013. It receives Arrest Warrant requests from other EU member states on behalf of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  This table shows how many requests for the surrender of an individual under the Arrest Warrant were received from each EU member state in each financial year. Validated figures from April 2014 are not available. Arrest Warrants requests received by UK from 2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14TotalAustria296585111159449Belgium882933583764761,591Bulgaria401216793191512Croatia261261Cyprus71210252983Czech Republic1192672031822291,000Denmark341181339Estonia67421231Finland682214959France1021863194223721,401Germany2317727376721,0873,499Greece22274278101270Hungary672701952013871,120Ireland3830445143206Italy982092263323141,179Latvia5210086115161514Lithuania1711932302332361,063Luxembourg111081737Malta2794527Netherlands1073163402682041,235Poland2,2381,8711,4551,6641,8249,052Portugal1827618873267Romania1935615676801,0153,016Slovakia5410111999146519Slovenia614243579158Spain1612543184083511,492Sweden1154969486341Total3,8705,7705,6386,2637,88029,421

Arrest Warrants

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many European arrest warrants the UK (a) issued and (b) received in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11, (iii) 2011-12, (iv) 2012-13, (v) 2013-14 and (vi) since April 2014.

Karen Bradley: 2009-102010-112011-122012-132013-14Issued (excluding Scotland) 238241252244230Received by National Crime Agency3,8705,7705,6416,2637,881 Validated figures from April 2014 are not yet available.

Arrest Warrants

Mr Dominic Raab: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many European arrest warrants the UK has (a) issued and (b) received in each calendar year (i) between 2004 and 2013 and (ii) in 2014.

Karen Bradley: The Serious Organised Crime Agency was replaced by the National Crime Agency on 7 October 2013. It receives Arrest Warrant requests from other EU member states on behalf of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This table shows how many Arrest Warrants the UK has issued and received in each calendar year since 2010. We do not hold the requested information for calendar years prior to 2010. Arrest Warrants issued by UK2010201120122013TotalRequests252226271219968 Arrest Warrants received by UK 2010201120122013TotalRequests4,3696,5126,2905,52222,693

Fines

Mr David Hanson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many fines have been levied for (a) not submitting a general aviation report and (b) departing without clearance in each year since 2010.

James Brokenshire: Customs Civil Penalties are one of a range of methods for penalising non-compliance with customs law where criminal prosecution would not be appropriate and the purpose is to encourage and improve compliance. However, no data is currently kept centrally that would identify civil penalties issued for such specific breaches.

Wales Office

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Alun Cairns: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House. The Wales Office has not had any requests turned down.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Alun Cairns: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Alun Cairns: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) publish annual statistical reports on the handling of requests for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for central government. The Wales Office submits quarterly and annual returns to the MoJ. The published reports include statistics on requests that have been refused in full. These reports can be accessed via the following webpage:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Alun Cairns: The Wales Office had no spend on iPhones since 2010.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Alun Cairns: The Wales Office had no spend on legal fees over the prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Alun Cairns: The Wales Office has made reward and recognition voucher awards to the value of (a) £300 in 2013-14 and (b) £140 in 2014-15 to date.

Public Records

Sir Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what targets have been set for the release of his Department's records to the National Archives; what progress has been made in meeting those targets; and how many staff in his Department are engaged in reviewing records for this purpose.

Alun Cairns: The Wales Office is reviewing its electronic records which were closed in 2008 with a view to releasing to the National Archives. The Department currently has 6 members of staff undertaking the review of records in conjunction with their other duties.

HM Treasury

Working Tax Credit

Mr Christopher Chope: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many non-UK citizens from (a) other EU countries and (b) the rest of the world are in receipt of working tax credit.

Priti Patel: This information is not available.  I refer my hon. friend to the reply given on 1 May 2014, Official report, columns 799W-800W, http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm140501/text/140501w0002.htm#14050155000316 for the number of families claiming tax credits where, if claiming as a couple, at least one of the family members was recorded as being a non-UK national when they registered for a National Insurance number (NINO).  These awards will include people who were recorded as being a non-UK national when they first registered for a NINO but now have UK nationality. The information cannot therefore be used to reliably determine the number of non-UK nationals in receipt of tax credits and was not intended to be used for that purpose.

National Insurance Contributions

Guto Bebb: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have (a) claimed and (b) been awarded employment allowance in (i) Wales and (ii) England.

Guto Bebb: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses have (a) claimed and (b) been awarded employment allowance in (i) Aberconwy, (ii) Conwy and (iii) North Wales in the last year.

Mr David Gauke: A statistical release covering take-up of the Employment Allowance, including regional and constituency data was published on the 7th November.   These statistics show that up to October 5th 2014, midway through the 2014-15 tax year, 35,000 employers in Wales and 728,000 employers in England had claimed and benefitted from the Employment Allowance. Employers automatically benefit from the allowance if they make a claim and have an employer Class 1 National Insurance Contribution bill.   So far 900 employers in Aberconwy and 6,400 employers in the North Wales constituencies have benefitted from the Employment Allowance.   This demonstrates the Government’s commitment to reducing the costs of employment for small businesses across the UK.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Andrea Leadsom: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) publishes quarterly statistics bulletins on departments’ handling of FOI requests. These bulletins include tables showing how many requests were granted in full, or resulted in some or all information being withheld. The MOJ statistics bulletin can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Andrea Leadsom: The spend on legal fees in relation to Freedom of Information requests is not separately recorded in the department’s accounts system.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Andrea Leadsom: HM Treasury do not use iPhones and therefore have no associated spend since 2010.

Human Trafficking

Paul Blomfield: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many cases of human trafficking were uncovered by HM Revenue and Customs as part of its minimum wage enforcement activity in (a) 2010, (b) 2011, (c) 2012, (d) 2013 and (e) 2014 to date.

Andrea Leadsom: The Government takes the enforcement of the National Minimum Wage very seriously. Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) review every complaint that is referred to them by the Pay and Work Rights Helpline. In addition, HMRC undertake targeted enforcement on employers across the United Kingdom who are more likely to be not paying National Minimum Wage.   HMRC also undertake joint working with the police, Home Office and local authorities across the country in cases that may involve slavery and servitude, but do not keep statistics relating to any trafficking offences which may be taken forward by the relevant authorities.

Tidal Power

Richard Graham: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the potential contribution of tidal energy to the economy.

Priti Patel: In October 2010 the Government published the conclusions of a 2-year feasibility study into tidal power on the Severn estuary, including a regional economic impact assessment. The government concluded it did not see a strategic case for public investment in a tidal energy scheme in the Severn estuary, but the outcome of the feasibility study does not preclude a privately financed scheme.   In August 2012 the Government’s Low Carbon Innovation Coordination Group published a Marine Energy Technology Innovation Needs Assessment which covered tidal stream technologies.   The documents can be downloaded at the following web-links: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/1-severn-tidal-power-feasibility-study-conclusions-and-summary-report   https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69870/30._Society_and_Economy_Effects_and_Interrelationships.pdf   http://www.carbontrust.com/media/168547/tina-marine-energy-summary-report.pdf

Department for Energy and Climate Change

Fracking

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the ratio of energy used in extraction, including to energy produced, taking into account transportation costs and possible damage to infrastructure.

Matthew Hancock: Data on energy production and energy use in extraction are published in Table 1.1 of DUKES (Digest of UK Energy Statistics).Thousand tonnes of oil equivalent Coal extractionOil and gas extractionDomestic production8,02580,991Energy industry use in extraction844,725Ratio of energy used in extraction to production1:951:17 Energy used in transportation is published in the energy balance table, but DECC is unable to estimate the share of this associated with energy extraction. Damage to infrastructure is not estimated within energy statistics.

Energy: Competition

Ian Paisley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps he is taking to improve competition in the wholesale energy markets.

Matthew Hancock: In recent years we have seen significant improvements in day-ahead wholesale electricity market liquidity. In July 2014 just under 50% of GB final consumption was traded through day-ahead power exchanges. Two years earlier this figure was 28% and 3 years earlier 4.2%1. However, liquidity in forward markets is crucial and this remains a barrier to entry.In April 2014 Ofgem introduced its reform package (‘Secure & Promote’2) to improve forward market liquidity and wholesale market access for independent market participants. The Government took backstop powers in the Energy Act 2013 to allow it to act should Ofgem’s liquidity reforms be delayed or frustrated.Competition is at the heart of the Government’s Electricity Market Reforms and independent participants have responded positively to pre-qualification for the Capacity Market. Of the 11GW pre-qualified, this includes 7GW of large CCGT plant – more than 5GW of which is from independent generators. In addition the Off-taker of Last Resort has been introduced to address route-to-market concerns of independent renewables developers. We have also seen significant participation from non-integrated utilities in the early Investment Contracts awarded under the FID Enabling for Renewables process – only 2 of the 8 contracts have been awarded to integrated utilities.Finally, the independent Competition and Markets Authority is investigating the GB energy markets and will determine whether there are any adverse effects on competition and, if so, what action is required to address them. [1] Sources: Elexon, Nord Pool, APX Group2 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/wholesale-power-market-liquidity-decision-letter

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Amber Rudd: The Department of Energy and Climate Change has spent £400 in 2011, £800 in 2012, and £400 in 2013 on iPhones for testing purposes.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Amber Rudd: Legal advice is not routinely sought on requests under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Where it is, the Department does not calculate the cost of internal legal advice as opposed to the cost of such advice on other matters. The Department obtains external litigation services from the Treasury Solicitor’s Department, including in relation to appeals under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. In 2013/14, the Department paid the Treasury Solicitor’s Department £18,812 for services concerning appeals under the Act. Figures for other periods since 2010 could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Amber Rudd: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Cabinet Office to Questions 213040 and 213053.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment his Department’s Nuclear Emergency Planning and Response Programme made of the Ministry of Defence nuclear accident exercise Senator 2011; and what the recommendations and conclusions arising from that assessment are.

Matthew Hancock: National level lessons identified from Senator 2011 related specifically to the provision of scientific advice and the role of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).The learning from Senator 2011 and other exercises has informed work, being undertaken as part of DECC’s National Nuclear Emergency Planning and Response Programme, to continuously strengthen the mechanisms to provide scientific advice in a nuclear emergency.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what steps his Department has taken to respond to concerns raised by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the NGO stakeholder forum meetings on new build nuclear reactors and nuclear waste management in (a) February and (b) June 2014.

Matthew Hancock: Officials from the Department meet regularly with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to discuss a range of issues on developing nuclear policy that the DECC nuclear NGO Forum decides are germane to its task.A record of concerns raised, agreed actions and progress against actions for the DECC nuclear NGO Forum meetings are set out in the minutes of meetings which can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/non-governmental-organisation-forum.

Fracking

Miss Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what recent representations he has received on the safety concerns relating to fracking; and if he will make a statement.

Matthew Hancock: The Department regularly receives representations regarding safety, or other concerns, relating to shale gas development and exploration and we have produced a range of guidance material which set out how these concerns are addressed. These can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/providing-regulation-and-licensing-of-energy-industries-and-infrastructure/supporting-pages/developing-shale-gas-and-oil-in-the-ukWe have a strong regulatory framework in place to ensure a comprehensive regime for exploratory activities, and the UK has over 50 years of experience in oil and gas drilling. All of the right regulations are in place to ensure on-site safety, prevent water contamination, air pollution and mitigate seismic activity.In June 2012 the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering published an independent review of the scientific and engineering evidence on risks associated with UK shale gas development. Their report concluded that environmental (and health and safety) risks can be managed effectively in the UK, when operational best practices are implemented and enforced through regulation.In June 2014, Public Health England published a report that evaluated available evidence on issues including air quality, radon gas, naturally occurring radioactive materials, water contamination and waste water. They concluded that “the risks to public health from exposure to emissions from shale gas extraction are low if operations are properly run and regulated.”

Cabinet Office

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010; and how much was spent on iPhones by 10 Downing Street in each such year.

Mr Francis Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.This Government is determined to provide staff with technology that allows them to do their job effectively and efficiently. As was the case under the previous administration, staff can be provided with such equipment when there is an appropriate business need.The total expenditure in each year since 2010 is;● 2010 £0● 2011 £0● 2012 £24,320● 2013 £24,320● 2014 £34,050

Military Decorations

Dr Eilidh Whiteford: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will establish a Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals to consider representations from those who support the creation of a (a) National Defence Medal and (b) Nuclear Test Veterans Medal.

Mr Francis Maude: The Committee for the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals (HD Committee) has recently, as part of the Independent Military Medals Review, considered the proposals to institute a National Defence Medal and a Nuclear Test Veterans Medal. HD Committee considered the merits of both medals but in respect of the latter concluded that this was not the sort of operational duty that would normally be recognised by the award of a medal; and that a strong enough case could not be made at this time for a National Defence Medal.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions 10 Downing Street has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Francis Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.Cabinet Office makes appointments on merit on the basis of fair and open competition in compliance with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.Other appointments are made using permitted exceptions to the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles to support Apprenticeship and Graduate Internship schemes, commercial interchange, short term projects and other specific business needs. Total2010-11472011-12782012-131262013-14942014- 31/10/14110In line with the practice of the previous administration the names of individuals have not been provided to protect their identities.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, on how many occasions 10 Downing Street has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mr Francis Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library of the House. It would not be appropriate to publish, by Department, details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are so small.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

John Woodcock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to 10 Downing Street officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Mr Francis Maude: The Prime Minister’s Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office does not provide Instant Rewards.

Suicide: Young People

Seema Malhotra: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what estimate he has made of the number of teenage suicides in each English region in each of the last five years.

Mr Rob Wilson: The Cabinet Office has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.

Department for Culture Media and Sport

Extracurricular Activities

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to increase participation in out-of-school sports clubs.

Mrs Helen Grant: Sport is a devolved policy area. The national sports councils of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales are therefore responsible for delivering the sporting strategies set out by their respective Governments. This response solely relates to the position in England. DCMS is investing almost £450 million through its 2012-17 Youth and Community strategy through Sport England. One of the key aims of this strategy is to get more young people playing sport regularly. Specific targets for young people have been agreed with each national governing body of sport (NGB). Further to this, 25 NGBs have targets agreed with Sport England to deliver Satellite Clubs - Sport England’s £49 million programme that brings community sports clubs into schools and colleges. Every secondary school in England will be offered the chance to host a satellite club by 2017 and there are already over 3,600 satellite clubs up and running (including nearly 500 which are only for girls) with almost 150,000 young people taking part.

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mrs Helen Grant: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given by my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, on 10th November.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Mrs Helen Grant: For financial years 2010-11 and 2011-12 external lawyers were retained through the Treasury Solicitor’s Department. Since 2012, DCMS has not incurred any costs in legal fees regarding the release of information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Mrs Helen Grant: Government FoI statistics are published on the Ministry of Justice website https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Mrs Helen Grant: Information on the numbers of appointments made by exception in 2012, 2013 and 2014 is below: YearNo. of appointmentsmade by exception2012/13162013/14112014/15 to date13 DCMS does not hold records of appointments by exception prior to 2012/13. For data protection purposes, name of individuals appointed to roles cannot be disclosed.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Mrs Helen Grant: Since 2010 the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has spent a total of £540.

Department of Health

Dementia

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many complaints were made to the NHS about the care of people with dementia in hospitals in 2013-14.

Dr Daniel Poulter: These data are not collected centrally. National data in respect of written complaints to the NHS are collected by the Health and Social Care Information Centre and may be found on their website.

Dementia

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many hospital staff in each hospital trust have undergone specific dementia awareness training.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Government’s 2014-15 Mandate to Health Education England, published on 1 May 2014, states that a further 250,000 National Health Service staff will receive Tier 1 dementia awareness training by March 2015, in addition to the 100,000 NHS staff who had received Tier 1 training by March 2014. At 30 September 2014, 377,886 NHS staff had undertaken the Tier 1 training.

Colorectal Cancer

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment he has made of the results of pilots of flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for bowel cancer; and what plans he has for a nationwide rollout of such screening.

Jane Ellison: A randomised controlled trial funded by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and National Health Service Research and Development took place in 14 United Kingdom and six Italian centres, and evaluated screening for bowel cancer using a single Bowel Scope Screening (flexible sigmoidoscopy) between 55 and 64 years of age, removing small polyps by Bowel Scope Screening and providing full colonoscopy for "high risk" polyps. The study concluded that Bowel Scope Screening is a safe and practical test and, when offered only once between ages 55 and 64 years, confers a substantial and long lasting benefit. The UK National Screening Committee reviewed the evidence, and in April 2011 concluded that screening for bowel cancer using Bowel Scope Screening meets the United Kingdom National Screening Committee criteria for a screening test. In England its implementation will be managed by National Health Service Cancer Screening Programmes.   As at 31 March 2014, 36.6% of Bowel Scope Screening centres in England were operational, exceeding the commitment of 30%1. As set out in the third annual report of Improving Outcomes: A Strategy for Cancer (December 2013), NHS England will work with Public Health England to help deliver the involvement of screening centres sufficient to meet the 60% commitment by March 2015 and to support preparatory steps in other screening centres to implement by the end of 2016.   As at the end of October 2014, 20,603 examinations had taken place. 919 people had gone on to have a colonoscopy with 20 cancers being detected. A further 365 people have had an advanced adenoma found and removed.   [1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/latest-bowel-cancer-screening-technique-reaps-benefits

In Vitro Fertilisation

Julian Sturdy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he is taking to reduce variation in the price of IVF cycles between clinical commissioning groups.

Jane Ellison: For National Health Service funded in-vitro fertilisation treatment, it is for clinical commissioning groups to decide with which fertility clinics to contract and agree the price payable with the service provider.

Social Services

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans he has to increase standards of social care; and if he will make a statement.

Norman Lamb: In July 2012, the Government set out its vision of the development of high quality care services in the White Paper, Caring for our future: Reforming care and support. This was reinforced in the Care Act. It set out clearly the care and support system we want to achieve – with the support of care and support organisations, charities, carers, volunteers and the public. The Adult Social Care Workforce programme supports delivery of this vision, through increasing capacity, improving capability and developing leadership.   On the recommendation of the Cavendish report into the failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, we are introducing the new Care Certificate, to help ensure that healthcare assistants, social care support workers and their employers can deliver a consistently high quality standard of care.   Health Education England, Skills for Care and Skills for Health launched the pilot for the Care Certificate on 28 April 2014. The pilot is taking place across a range of health and social care settings, and, subject to evaluation, the national introduction of the Care Certificate is planned for March 2015.   In order to make sure that people are held to account for the quality of care they provide, we are introducing measures to ensure that company directors who consent or turn a blind eye to poor care will be liable for prosecution. In the future, they and provider organisations could face unlimited fines if found guilty.   To ensure that social care providers and services employ and are run by people with the right values and skills, we are introducing a ‘fit and proper person’ test for Directors. Where the Care Quality Commission (CQC) considers a Director not to be fit to run a provider organisation, it will be able to insist on his or her removal.   The Government realised that the regulation and inspection of social care provision needed to improve. As a result, the CQC has introduced a new system of inspection of social care providers, backed by new fundamental standards of care. This new system of inspection is based on five important questions that matter most to people: whether services are safe, caring, effective, well-led and responsive to their needs. CQC inspections now result in a provider being rated on a four-point scale - ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’, for each of the five domains that it inspects. This results in clear, straightforward information that commissioners of services and the public can understand.   The new inspections are carried out by expert inspection teams, which include people who have personal experience of care. The CQC piloted the new approach from April 2014 and began to inspect and rate all providers against the new standards in October.   Under the Care Act, local authorities will have a new market shaping duty, meaning that they should work with local people and communities and engage with their local care providers to facilitate a diverse supply of high quality services.   The Care Act reforms should increase transparency and support more effective competition in local care markets. This will help providers of high quality care to attract more people and to grow and diversify their share in the market.   We have just issued statutory guidance to local authorities about their new market shaping duties. Together with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association, we are developing a series of commissioning standards to improve local authority commissioning practices and encourage more flexibility, allowing providers to engage with them in new ways. We are keen to move commissioning from a “time and task” based to an outcomes-driven activity.   Employers are responsible for ensuring that any potential employee has the required level of communication skills for their role. It is essential that a workers’ command of English should be considered as part of the recruitment process. Under CQC’s current approach to inspection and regulation, it is stipulated that workers in adult social care should be able to communicate effectively with people who use services and other staff and to ensure that care, treatment and support of service users is not compromised. This applies to all workers, whatever their background or nationality.

Drugs: Misuse

Eric Ollerenshaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will place in the Library the responses to Public Health England's consultation on drug misuse and dependence.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England (PHE) has convened an expert group, chaired by Professor John Strang, to consider the responses to the consultation on a possible update to the United Kingdom guidelines on the clinical management of drug misuse and dependence.   PHE is providing secretariat to the group, and we will place consultation responses in the Library after the expert group has had the opportunity to review them in full. The expert group has not yet determined when this will be.

Social Services

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has put in place to improve the level of English language proficiency required for providers of social care.

Norman Lamb: In July 2012, the Government set out its vision of the development of high quality care services in the White Paper, Caring for our future: Reforming care and support. This was reinforced in the Care Act. It set out clearly the care and support system we want to achieve – with the support of care and support organisations, charities, carers, volunteers and the public. The Adult Social Care Workforce programme supports delivery of this vision, through increasing capacity, improving capability and developing leadership.   On the recommendation of the Cavendish report into the failings at Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust, we are introducing the new Care Certificate, to help ensure that healthcare assistants, social care support workers and their employers can deliver a consistently high quality standard of care.   Health Education England, Skills for Care and Skills for Health launched the pilot for the Care Certificate on 28 April 2014. The pilot is taking place across a range of health and social care settings, and, subject to evaluation, the national introduction of the Care Certificate is planned for March 2015.   In order to make sure that people are held to account for the quality of care they provide, we are introducing measures to ensure that company directors who consent or turn a blind eye to poor care will be liable for prosecution. In the future, they and provider organisations could face unlimited fines if found guilty.   To ensure that social care providers and services employ and are run by people with the right values and skills, we are introducing a ‘fit and proper person’ test for Directors. Where the Care Quality Commission (CQC) considers a Director not to be fit to run a provider organisation, it will be able to insist on his or her removal.   The Government realised that the regulation and inspection of social care provision needed to improve. As a result, the CQC has introduced a new system of inspection of social care providers, backed by new fundamental standards of care. This new system of inspection is based on five important questions that matter most to people: whether services are safe, caring, effective, well-led and responsive to their needs. CQC inspections now result in a provider being rated on a four-point scale - ‘outstanding’, ‘good’, ‘requires improvement’ and ‘inadequate’, for each of the five domains that it inspects. This results in clear, straightforward information that commissioners of services and the public can understand.   The new inspections are carried out by expert inspection teams, which include people who have personal experience of care. The CQC piloted the new approach from April 2014 and began to inspect and rate all providers against the new standards in October.   Under the Care Act, local authorities will have a new market shaping duty, meaning that they should work with local people and communities and engage with their local care providers to facilitate a diverse supply of high quality services.   The Care Act reforms should increase transparency and support more effective competition in local care markets. This will help providers of high quality care to attract more people and to grow and diversify their share in the market.   We have just issued statutory guidance to local authorities about their new market shaping duties. Together with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association, we are developing a series of commissioning standards to improve local authority commissioning practices and encourage more flexibility, allowing providers to engage with them in new ways. We are keen to move commissioning from a “time and task” based to an outcomes-driven activity.   Employers are responsible for ensuring that any potential employee has the required level of communication skills for their role. It is essential that a workers’ command of English should be considered as part of the recruitment process. Under CQC’s current approach to inspection and regulation, it is stipulated that workers in adult social care should be able to communicate effectively with people who use services and other staff and to ensure that care, treatment and support of service users is not compromised. This applies to all workers, whatever their background or nationality.

Social Services

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will take steps to ensure that (a) care agencies, (b) managers and (c) individuals who have been found to be involved in the provision of sub-standard care provision are prevented from working in that industry in any local authority area.

Norman Lamb: All care agencies must register with and be inspected and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), as regulator of health and adult social care services. The CQC regulates care providers against a set of registration requirements in relation to safety and quality of services. Should the CQC find a care provider is not complying with regulatory requirements, it has a range of enforcement powers which it can employ, up to and including cancelling its registration to operate.   The Department worked closely with the Home Office to set up the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The role of the DBS is to help employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups of people. The DBS provides a system of criminal records checking and barring functions, to prevent unsuitable people from being able to work with vulnerable groups in regulated work in care and health settings.   This year, the DBS has been running a programme of free events targeted at those who have a responsibility for removing individuals from posts in regulated activity where harm has occurred. The events emphasise the responsibilities of employers to make referrals for barring and explain the DBS barring and decision making processes.   The Department has reinforced this message in the safeguarding guidance issued recently under the Care Act. The guidance is very clear that safe employment practices, including the duties to refer people who have caused harm, to the DBS, are a key part of effective safeguarding policies and practice in the care sector.   In order to make sure that people are held to account for the quality of care they provide, we are introducing measures to ensure that company directors who consent or turn a blind eye to poor care will be liable for prosecution. In the future, they and provider organisations could face unlimited fines if found guilty.   To ensure that social care providers and services employ and are run by people with the right values and skills, we are introducing a ‘fit and proper person’ test for Directors. Where the CQC considers a Director not to be fit to run a provider organisation, it will be able to insist on his or her removal.

Ebola

Dr William McCrea: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many UK health workers have gone to West Africa to help tackle the Ebola virus.

Jane Ellison: The Chief Medical Officer wrote to National Health Service medical and nursing directors on 19 September seeking volunteers to help efforts on the ground in West Africa. Currently over 1000 NHS staff and 185 staff from Public Health England have put their names forward through UK MED which runs the UK International Emergency Medical Register (UKIEMR).   The programme comprises a robust selection process, pre-deployment vaccinations and occupational health and psychological screening, training in the UK with further training and mentoring in Sierra Leone, and advice and support on monitoring health on return. We do not expect everyone on the register to be deployed.   We do not know how many UK health care workers are currently deployed with non-governmental organisations on the ground in West Africa.

NHS: Finance

Mr George Galloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what proportion of the NHS budget in England and Wales was spent on management and administration in (a) 1984, (b) 1994, (c) 2004 and (d) 2013.

Dr Daniel Poulter: This Government has taken tough decisions to increase the National Health Service budget by £12.7 billion between 2010-11 and 2014-15. During this period, the Government’s NHS reforms will enable total administration costs to reduce by one-third in real terms, to release funding to NHS front-line services. Already, savings arising from the reforms released £1.5 billion last year and £1 billion in 2012-13 to front-line services.   Administration costs as a proportion of total NHS expenditure in the financial year 2013-14 was 2.9%. In 2010-11 the equivalent proportion was 4.3%.   From 2010 to July 2014, the number of infrastructure support staff in the NHS has reduced by from 205,695 to 183,685 a decrease of 21,010 (10.3%) including a decrease of 7,488 (17.7%) in managers and senior managers combined.   Before introducing administration costs in the Spending Review 2010, the Department collected data on NHS “management costs”, part of which now forms a sub-set of the current administration cost definition.   Management costs in primary care trusts/strategic health authorities and NHS trusts as a share of total NHS expenditure in 2003-04 was 3.7%.   Data for years 1984 and 1994 is not available.   This Government remains committed to reducing both management costs within the NHS and administration costs across the system in order to reduce bureaucracy and increase frontline care staff.

Social Services

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will publish a central register of complaints about the providers of poor-quality social care.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department has taken to work with local councils to improve their recording and reporting of complaints against providers of social care.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what central records are kept of complaints against social care providers; and if he will make a statement.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if his Department will work with local authorities to improve oversight of agency companies providing social care to elderly and vulnerable people.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assistance the Government provides to local authorities seeking to investigate failures in the provision of social care.

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department takes to ensure that local authorities are aware of their obligations to investigate complaints about poor-quality social care; and what assistance the Government provides to help them meet those obligations.

Norman Lamb: Each local authority is responsible for the quality of social care services it commissions. There is no national register or oversight of complaints in social care. However, local authorities are required, pursuant to the Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service (England) Regulations 2009, to keep a record of each complaint received, the subject matter and outcome and timescales for responding.   They are also obliged to make a summary of this information available to the public via an annual report. The Government believes that we should be committed to ensuring the system for resolving complaints about care is compassionate, personal, responsive, timely and ensures lessons are learned.   The Department established a national complaints programme board in December 2013. A comprehensive programme has been developed with national partners, including the Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS England, Healthwatch England, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Local Government Ombudsman, the Local Government Association, Monitor and the NHS Trust Development Association, to bring about important changes to the way complainants are supported and complaints are handled across the health and social care systems.   We are informed by the CQC that it is committed to strengthening its approach to assessing complaints and concerns during inspections. During an inspection, CQC inspectors will use key lines of enquiry to ascertain the standard of care. A mandatory key line of enquiry used during inspections of adult social care is whether the service routinely listens and learns from people’s experiences, concerns and complaints.   Under the Care Act, local authorities will have a new market shaping duty, meaning that they should work with local people and communities and engage with their local care providers to facilitate a diverse supply of high quality services.   The Care Act reforms should increase transparency and support more effective competition in local care markets. This will help providers of high quality care to attract more people, and to grow and diversify their share in the market.   We have just issued statutory guidance to local authorities about their new market shaping duties. Together with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Local Government Association, we are developing a series of commissioning standards to improve local authority commissioning practices and encourage more flexibility, allowing providers to engage with them in new ways. We are keen to move commissioning from a “time and task” based to an outcomes-driven activity.

NHS: Interpreters

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much the NHS spent on interpreters in hospitals in England and Wales in the last five years.

Norman Lamb: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 13 October 2014 to Question 208666

NHS: Compensation

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what strategy his Department has to reduce compensation claims within the NHS.

Dr Daniel Poulter: In March 2014, my Rt. hon Friend the Secretary of State for Health issued a call to action to make the National Health Service the safest healthcare system in the world and achieve a three-year goal to halve avoidable harm and save 6,000 lives. The Sign up to Safety campaign embodies the ambition of the NHS to build a culture of safety, bringing together individuals and organisations with a contribution to make towards the patient safety goal. Elements of this campaign will focus on a reduction in avoidable harm that can lead to compensation claims. Organisations that sign up are setting out what they will do to strengthen patient safety, including a safety improvement plan which shows how their organisation intends to save lives and reduce harm for patients over the next three years. The NHS Litigation Authority (NHS LA) will support those organisations which have patient safety improvement plans that demonstrate a reduction in their higher volume, higher value claims.   The NHS LA also provides a safety and learning service to its members, sharing information on the learning from claims with individual trusts and across the NHS to support learning and improvements in safety, and reduce harm. It also incentivises members to reduce claims by rewarding safer organisations with fewer, less costly claims through reduced contributions.

Strokes

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of support services for stroke survivors.

Jane Ellison: The Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme, run by the Royal College of Physicians and funded through the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, aims to improve the quality of stroke care by auditing stroke services against evidence based standards.   We know that when stroke survivors leave hospital, it is important that the right services are in place to ensure they have the support they need to make the best possible recovery. The audit shows that about 40% of stroke survivors are discharged with plans for on-going rehabilitation from a specialist team and that progress continues to be made in terms of the intensity of therapy provided by all of the disciplines (occupational, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy).   However, there is still progress to be made and the cardiovascular disease Strategic Clinical Networks continue to work with commissioners and providers to improve stroke rehabilitation services.

Pay

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Instant Rewards of what value were given to his Department's officials in (a) 2013 and (b) 2014 to date.

Dr Daniel Poulter: An error has been identified in the written answer given on 10 November 2014.The correct answer should have been:

The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library.It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are small, and the individuals might be personally identified, directly or in combination with other published information. The Department does not operate an ‘Instant Rewards’ scheme. The Department does, however, operate an in-year bonus scheme, which has strict criteria, approval processes and budgetary control.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library.It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are small, and the individuals might be personally identified, directly or in combination with other published information. The Department does not operate an ‘Instant Rewards’ scheme. The Department does, however, operate an in-year bonus scheme, which has strict criteria, approval processes and budgetary control.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department has spent on legal fees over prevention of release of information requested by Freedom of Information requests since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14 July 2014, Official Report, column 438W. 



Hansard Extract 14 July 2014
(Word Document, 13.41 KB)

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions his Department has had requests for appointments by exception to the Senior Civil Service turned down by the Civil Service Commission since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library.   It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are small, and the individuals might be personally identified, directly or in combination with other published information.

NHS: Negligence

Alan Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many families have received compensation and of what value in cases where a deaf child has received an incorrect diagnosis from NHS audiology services in the last five years.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The information is not routinely collected centrally.

Freedom of Information

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many Freedom of Information requests his Department has declined to answer in full since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: Departmental Freedom of Information performance statistics have been published by the Ministry of Justice since 2010. These include the number of requests that were declined in full. They are available at the following link:   https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/government-foi-statistics

Public Appointments

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions his Department has made appointments by exception since 2010; and who was appointed for each such post.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Civil Service Commission publish details of appointments made by exception and approved by them in their annual reports and on their website. These reports are available in the Library.   It would not be appropriate to publish details of the requests turned down by the Commission as the numbers involved are small, and the individuals might be personally identified, directly or in combination with other published information.

Cycling: Accidents

Mr David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many people were admitted to hospital following injuries by cyclists riding on footpaths in each of the last two years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Ellison: This information is not collected. The Health and Social Care Information Centre has advised that it is not possible to identify accidents occurring specifically on footpaths within the Hospital Episode Statistics data.

Mobile Phones

John Woodcock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much his Department spent on iPhones in each year since 2010.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The Department spent the following on iPhones in each of the financial years since 2010. Financial YearNumbersCosts(Exclude VAT)2010-11NilNil2011-12NilNil2012-131£357.002013-14NilNil2014-152£750.00

Prisons: Mental Health Services

Mr Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many prisoners in England and Wales have received prescription drugs for psychiatric illness in the last three years.

Norman Lamb: This information is not collected centrally.

Prostate Cancer

Stuart Andrew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the quality of care for prostate cancer patients improves across the country.

Jane Ellison: The Government’s Mandate to NHS England sets out an ambition to make England one of the most successful countries in Europe at preventing premature deaths from all cancers, including prostate cancer. Cancer indicators in the NHS Outcomes Framework and the Public Health Outcomes Framework will help NHS England to assess progress in improving cancer survival and mortality for men with prostate cancer.   The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer (2005) are available to help general practitioners (GPs) assess when it is appropriate to refer patients for suspected cancer, including prostate cancer. NICE is in the process of updating the guidelines to ensure that these reflect latest evidence and can continue to support GPs to identify patients with suspected cancer symptoms and urgently refer them as appropriate. NICE’s anticipated publication date for the revised guidelines is May 2015.   At a local level, it is for individual clinical commissioning groups to promote and enhance the diagnostic capability to deliver better outcomes. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments that may be used for prostate cancer are commissioned at the moment by NHS England. NHS England’s prostate cancer service specification clearly defines what it expects to be in place for providers to offer evidence-based, safe and effective prostate cancer services. This service specification has been developed by specialised clinicians, commissioners, expert patients and public health representatives to describe core and developmental service standards.   The NICE published an updated clinical guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer in January 2014. NICE has recommended docetaxel, abiraterone and enzalutamide as treatment options for some types of prostate cancer, subject to certain clinical criteria and is currently appraising a number of other prostate cancer drugs. Patients have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by NICE technology appraisal guidance for use in the National Health Service, where their doctor believes they are clinically appropriate. A number of drugs to treat prostate cancer are available through the Cancer Drugs Fund.   To help reduce regional variations, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is increasingly incorporating information from accreditation and peer review programmes into its assessments of NHS trusts' services for the treatment of prostate cancer. This includes the national cancer peer review programme, which encompasses prostate cancer. The cancer patient survey also asks specific questions on having a specialist nurse. The CQC intends to use data from the national clinical audit which is being developed for prostate cancer. In addition, national statistics on waiting times experienced by patients with suspected and diagnosed cancers continue to be collected, monitored and published in order to improve equity of access to cancer services and to contribute to an improvement in survival rates.   This Government is also investing in innovative radiotherapy treatments to improve outcomes for those with cancer. NHS England has also committed to make up to £6 million available over the next three years to support six trials by Cancer Research UK into the use of Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR). This will allow patients to receive SABR treatment now, where clinicians think they could benefit. At the same time doctors can fully assess the effectiveness of these treatments so that in future, if it proves to be effective, they will be available for all relevant patients on the NHS. Two of these six trials will be on prostate cancer.   We have also invested £23 million across 50 United Kingdom centres aimed at increasing the capacity of radiotherapy centres in England to deliver Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT). We committed to achieving the ambition of 24% of all radiotherapy to be delivered through more accurate IMRT, and we are now seeing 35% of all radical radiotherapy treatments delivered using this method compared to 5% in 2010.   The National Prostate Cancer Audit (NCPA) First Year Annual Report was published on the 10 November. The report covers the work undertaken since April 2013. It includes a preliminary analysis of the NPCA’s organisational audit, an analysis of existing data sets including patients with prostate cancer in England, and the design of the NPCA’s prospective audit dataset. The findings from the audit will contribute to changes in clinical practice ensuring that patients receive the best care possible and experience an improved quality of life. The audit is funded by the Department and has been commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership.

Dementia

Tracey Crouch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what were (a) the rates of admission to hospital, (b) the total hospital bed-days per population and (c) the rates of admission to hospital from a nursing home or residential care home for patients with a secondary diagnosis of dementia over (i) 65 and (ii) 75 years of age for each clinical commissioning group in England for 2013-14.

Norman Lamb: The Health and Social Care Information Centre have provided the following data concerning patients with a secondary diagnosis of dementia by clinical commissioning group (CCG) of residence for individuals aged over 65 and over 75, for 2013-14 (provisional):   (a) the rates of admission to hospital per age group population; (b) the total hospital bed-days per age group population; and (c) the rates of admission to hospital from a nursing home or residential care home per age group population.   Please be aware that data for 2013-14 is provisional and is therefore subject to change.   It should be noted that some patients who live in nursing homes or residential care may have their source of admission recorded as 'usual place of residence' by the hospital staff but we cannot identify these.   The table is attached.   



Diagnosis of dementia by CCG 2013-14
(Excel SpreadSheet, 52.5 KB)

General Practitioners: Heywood

Liz McInnes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what the average waiting time to see a GP is in Heywood and Middleton constituency.

Dr Daniel Poulter: The requested data is not collected centrally.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to sections 105 and 120 of NHS England's Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy Services Needs Assessment and Service Review, published in November 2014, which members of (a) NHS England's staff and (b) the Clinical Reference Group made up the project team; from where the focus group was drawn; and what the names are of those who sat on that focus group.

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to section 121 of NHS England's Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy Services Needs Assessment and Service Review, published in November 2014, what the names are of those who supplied the data demonstrating (a) the cost effectiveness of treating patients surgically as against treating with stereotactic radiosurgery, (b) the cost of providing surgical treatment and (c) the cost of providing stereotacic radiosurgery.

Jane Ellison: The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, based in Liverpool, provided the cost information referenced in Section 121 of NHS England's Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy Services Needs Assessment and Service Review, published on 3 November 2014.   Two separate consultation (focus group) meetings were held and chaired by Mr Sean Duffy, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Cancer, involving members of the Radiotherapy Clinical Reference Group (CRG), Adult Neurosurgery CRG, Brain and Central Nervous System CRG, Neurosciences CRG and Stereotactic Radiosurgery CRG to agree key principles and options. Details of the membership of each of the CRGs are set out on the NHS England website at the following link:   http://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/d-com/spec-serv/crg/

NHS: Drugs

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many times he has exercised his powers under the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013 to refer an unlicensed indication of a drug for a NICE technology appraisal.

George Freeman: Since the ‘National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Constitution and Functions) and the Health and Social Care Information Centre (Functions) Regulations 2013’ came into force on 1 April 2013, the Department has not asked the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to develop under Regulation 7 any technology appraisal guidance on the use of an unlicensed drug. The Department has, however, under Regulation 5, asked NICE to develop guidance and recommendations on the use of a combination therapy for use in the treatment of ovarian cancer outside the terms of its marketing authorisation.

NHS: Drugs

Dr Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with (a) charities and (b) clinicians who support the Off-patent Drugs Bill.

George Freeman: Departmental Ministers have met with the hon. Member for Cardiff North (Jonathan Evans), with regard to his Off-Patent Drugs Bill and officials have also had discussions with Breast Cancer Campaign to understand their concerns around the prescribing of off-patent drugs and the implications for patients.  We are in the process of setting up a round-table discussion with key stakeholders, NHS England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence to review the evidence and develop a strategy to better support use of off-label medicines in areas where the evidence suggests that they can deliver patient benefit.

Radiotherapy

Tessa Munt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, with reference to NHS England's agreement to provide £6 million of funding for Cancer Research UK's Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) clinical trial programme, (a) over what time period that funding will be available, (b) how many patients in total will take part in that trial, (c) how many of those patients will receive SABR and (d) what the cost per patient will be.

Jane Ellison: The majority of the trials in the Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) clinical trial programme run over three years, although some extend to five.   CRUK has approved five United Kingdom-wide trials to date, and a sixth is being considered in November 2014. The current assessment of the number of patients that will be recruited to the trials is a provisional estimate and it is important to note that this will vary dependent on a number of factors, including local recruitment and randomisation to different trial arms.   The current trial protocols indicate that around two thirds of patients will be allocated to SABR trial arms.   NHS England is providing a package of support of up to £6 million to trusts that are participating in the CRUK trials. The support package for SABR, for each participating trust will vary dependent on the fractionation used within the trial, but has been developed using the existing tariff structure for external beam radiotherapy as its basis.

Pregnancy: Mental Health Services

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many women were admitted to mother and baby mental health units in each of the last five years.

Dr Daniel Poulter: This information is not collected centrally.

Pregnancy: Mental Illness

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many women who have been diagnosed with mental health problems have given birth in NHS maternity units in each of the last five years.

Dr Daniel Poulter: More than 10% of women experience perinatal mental health problems or mental illness (i.e. during pregnancy or in the first postnatal year) and that is why improving diagnosis and services for women with perinatal mental health problems is one of the Department’s key objectives for maternity care.   Health Education England is working to ensure that pre and post registration training in perinatal mental health is available to enable specialist perinatal mental health staff to be available to every birthing unit by 2017.   The following table shows a count of delivery episodes with a primary or secondary diagnosis of mental health problems for the years 2008-09 to 2012-13   YearFinished delivery episodes2008-096,7232009-108,3042010-1112,6902011-1216,6962012-1319,841 The term ’perinatal mental illness’ is not classifiable within the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases) classification system used to identify diagnoses in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database, but codes do exist to classify mental and behavioural disorders in pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium.   It should be noted that this is not a count of people as the same person may have had more than one admission episode within the same time period.

Rickets

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of rickets have been diagnosed since 2010 in infants and children up to and including five years of age (a) in total and (b) of African, African-Caribbean and South Asian origin.

Jane Ellison: This information is not held centrally.

Vitamin D

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the (a) interim and (b) final report from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition Vitamin D Working Group to be published.

Jane Ellison: The Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition aims to publish its draft review of the dietary reference values for vitamin D for public consultation in spring 2015, and to publish the finalised report by the end of 2015.

*No heading*

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his Answer of 23 October 2014 to Question 211147, what the timeline is for publication of the Liver Disease Framework under development by Public Health England; and whether there will be a full public consultation during that process.

Jane Ellison: Public Health England plans to publish its framework for tackling liver disease in the summer of 2015.   The framework will lay out clearly the scope of Public Health England activities. This will range from the investigation of hepatitis viruses to support local authorities in their work to tackle the effects of alcohol consumption and obesity on liver disease. It will also cover the life course from antenatal screening, vaccination of babies born, to mothers with chronic Hepatitis B, to improving the care of patients dying from liver disease.   Public Health England is not intending to hold a formal consultation on the framework but is conducting extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders in its development. These include NHS England, the liver disease related charities, hepatologists (liver disease specialists) from across the country and local authority representatives.

Alcoholic Drinks

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when he expects the second interim report on the 2013 data on progress that has been made towards the Public Health Responsibility Deal Alcohol Network pledge to remove one billion units of alcohol from the market by the end of 2015 will be published.

Jane Ellison: The publication “Responsibility Deal: Monitoring the number of units of alcohol sold - second interim report, 2013 data” will be published by the Department in December 2014. The exact date will be announced four weeks prior to publication on GOV.UK

Bladder Cancer: Drugs

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what steps he has taken to ensure that there are adequate supplies of BCG vaccine available for the treatment of bladder cancer.

Jane Ellison: The shortage of BCG for bladder instillation, which has arisen due to manufacturing problems, is affecting countries worldwide. The Department is working closely with the suppliers to help ensure that supplies are available for United Kingdom patients. We are also in close contact with the British Association of Urological Surgeons who have issued advice for clinicians.